The WLA Playoffs are now in full swing. So far Langley has defeated Burnaby in the first game of their playoff series as Langley won 9-8. On Friday night Langley and Burnaby were back in action while on Saturday night Victoria and Coquitlam kicked off their playoff series.
On Friday night Langley and Burnaby kicked off game 2 of their series. Langley was looking to gain a 2-0 lead in the series while Burnaby was trying to even the series.  Langley took control of the first period as Lewis Ratcliff scored 2 goals in the first period while Kyle Belton added a goal to make it 3-0 Langley. Langley’s defense was solid in the first period holding Burnaby’s offense to only 5 shots in the period. In the second period Burnaby’s defense kicked into gear and began to hold off Langley’s offense in the beginning of the second period. Joel McCready though would score shorthanded for Langley 7 minutes into the second period in order to put Langley ahead 4-0. Burnaby would finally get their offense going at the 11 minute mark of the period as Justin Salt scored to make the score 4-1. Langley would respond quickly as just 30 seconds later Lewis Ratcliff scored to complete his hat trick and make the score 5-1. Burnaby though was not deterred as Shaun Dhaliwal scored to make the score 5-2. Langley did not let up though as Athan Iannucci scored shorthanded to extend Langley’s lead to 6-2. Burnaby once again answered back as Colton Clark scored to make it 6-3. Lewis Ratcliff would score for Langley to make the score 7-3. In the third period Langley continued their offensive assault as Lewis Ratcliff scored to increase Langley’s lead to 8-3. Burnaby would not back down as Trevor Moore scored to make it 8-4. Langley did not give an inch though as Athan Iannucci scored to extend Langley lead to 9-4. Burnaby would attempt a comeback late in the third period as Dane Stevens scored back to back goals to make the score 9-6. It was as close as Burnaby got though as Langley’s defense continued to frustrate and shutdown Burnaby’s offense in order to preserve the 9-6 lead.
Langley won this game due to their ability to break apart Burnaby’s defense. Lewis Ratcliff was key to Langley’s victory as he scored 5 goals and had 1 assist for his performance he earned first star of the game honors. Athan Iannucci also was pivotal in Langley’s win as he had 2 goals and 2 assists and earned second star honors. Brodie MacDonald was solid in net for Langley as he stopped 31of 36 shots on net. Burnaby lost this game due to their inability to shut down Langley’s offense and due to them letting Lewis Ratcliff victimize their defense. The bright spot for Burnaby was Scott Jones who had 4 assists on the night and earned third star honors. Game 3 of this series will take place Tuesday August 7th in Langley.
The second playoff series in the WLA between Coquitlam and Victoria kicked off Saturday night in Victoria. Victoria would draw first blood in the game as 7 minutes into the first period Jeff Shattler scored to make it 1-0. Coquitlam would respond quickly as Dane Dobbie scored to make it 1-1. The game then became a defensive stale mate as neither team was giving an inch. Jason Jones would break the stale mate with 5 minutes left in the period as he scored for Coquitlam to give them a 2-1 lead. Jones goal sparked Coquitlam’s offense as Dane Dobbie and Kevin Olson would score minutes apart to extend Coquitlam’s lead to 4-1. Victoria would respond with 35 seconds left in the period as Jeff Shattler scored to cut the score in half and make it 4-2 to end the first period. In the second period Corey Small wasted no time in getting Victoria back in this game as he scored just 40 seconds into the period to make the score 4-3.  Jason Jones would answer for Coquitlam and spark another offensive assault as Dane Dobbie and Kevin Olson would each add goal minutes later. Coquitlam now led 7-3. Victoria would get back into the game on a goal by Kyle Morwick which made the score 7-4. Coquitlam though was relentless on offense and scored two consecutive goals as Jon Harnett scored shorthanded while Jason Jones scored a minute later in order to give Coquitlam a 9-4 lead. Derek Lowe would keep Victoria in the game as he scored with 6 minutes left in the period to make the score 9-5 to end the second period. In the third period Corey Small would once again waste no time as he scored just 18 seconds into the third period to cut Coquitlam’s lead to 3 as the score was now 9-6. Victoria’s defense began to slow Coquitlam’s offense in the third period but Jason Jones would break through for Coquitlam and score to increase Coquitlam’s lead to 10-6. Victoria would kick their offense into high gear though as Matt Yager, Derek Lowe and Ryan Benesch scored to get Victoria back in the game. The score was now 10-9. Victoria would continue to fight in this game but Nick Rose held them off. With 30 seconds left in the period though Damon Edwards would score for Coquitlam to seal the 11-9 victory. With the win Coquitlam takes a  1-0 series lead.
Coquitlam was able to win this game due to their defense containing Corey Small and Jeff Shattler by holding them to only 2 goals each. Nick Rose was also spectacular in net for Coquitlam as he stopped 48 of 57 shots on net which earned him third star of the game. Jason Jones stepped up for Coquitlam in this game as he powered Coquitlam’s offense with 4 goals and an assist and also earned first star honors for his stellar play. Victoria Struggled in this game due to their inability to stop Coquitlam’s offense. Victoria also struggled to spread Coquitlam’s defense and open up space. Victoria’s best player was Matt Yager who had 1 goal and 1 assist and was rewarded for his play with second star honors. Game 2 will take place on Wednesday August 8th in Coquitlam.
