There two games on the WLA Schedule on Friday night both with playoff implications.
Burnaby Lakers (14) vs. Langley (6)
Going into this game the Thunder had nothing to play for in their final game of the season while Burnaby with a win could vault into second place with a win. Burnaby would open the scoring as Robert Church scored twice to give the Lakers the early 2-0 lead. The Thunder would tie the game up shortly after as brothers Mitch and Ryan McMichael each scored to tie the game 2-2. Casey Jackson would give Burnaby the go ahead goal but the lead was short lived as Kyle McEwen and Dan Mcquade scored to give Langley the 4-3 lead at the end of the first period.
The Lakers would take control of this game in the second period as they scored eight unanswered goals. Burnaby received goals from Scott Jones (2), Jackson Decker (2), Colton Clark, Dane Stevens, TJ Cowx and Robert Church’s third goal of the game which gave the Lakers the 11-4 lead at the end of the second period. The Lakers would seal their victory in the third as Robert Church would score his fourth of the game along with Jackson Deckers third goal and Jason Jones goal to extend their lead to 14- 4 Langley would add two late goals but it was too late.
The Lakers walked away with the 14-6 victory and moved into a tie for second place. The Lakers hold the season series with Victoria so they have the tie breaker. The Lakers will hope to follow this victory with another win against Coquitlam on Saturday.
Victoria Shamrocks (14) vs. Nanaimo (8)
The Shamrocks came into this game with home field advantage on the line as they needed a win to keep pace with Burnaby for second place in the WLA. While Nanaimo was playing for pride after a season full of ups and downs. Victoria took control of this game early as Scott Ranger scored a pair of goals followed by goals from Corey Small and Blair Pinnock to give the Shamrocks a 4-0 lead. Nanaimo would cut the lead in half though as Cayle Ratcliff and Paul Brebber scored for Nanaimo. The Rocks though would extend their lead as Corey Conway and Derek Lowe scored to give the Shamrocks the 6-2 lead at the end of the first period.
In the second period the two teams intensity picked up but Victoria still took control as Lowe Scored two minutes in to give the Shamrocks a 7-2 lead. Jake Emms would score to cut the lead to 7-3 but Lowe would complete his hat trick to restore the Shamrocks five goal lead. Nanaimo would close out the period by scoring three straight goals. At the end of two periods of play the score was 8-6 and Nanaimo had worked their way back into this game.
The Shamrocks in the third period put an end to any of Nanaimo’s hopes of a comeback as Scott Ranger buried his former team by scoring three goals followed by a goal from Cory Conway giving the Shamrocks the 12-6 lead. The Timbermen would manage two more goal but Victoria would match them to give the Shamrocks the 14-8 victory.
With the win the Shamrocks sit a point above Burnaby for second in the WLA but Burnaby with a win on Saturday night can claim second place and home advantage in the playoffs.
