On Saturday night there were two games on the WLA schedule with both having major implications on the WLA playoff picture. The Langley Thunder took on the Victoria Shamrocks while the Coquitlam Adanacs took on the Nanaimo Timbermen.
The first game on Saturday night was between the Langley Thunder and the Victoria Shamrocks. The game began with Langley taking advantage on the power play as Athan Iannucci scored in order to take a 1-0 lead. Jeff Shattler then took a slashing penalty to put Langley back on the power play.  Langley would once again take advantage on the power play as Athan Iannucci stuck again to make the score 2-0. Victoria would finally get their offense going as Chet Koneczny scored in order to cut the lead in half and make it 2-1. Langley did not sit back though as Athan Iannucci scored in order to extend Langley’s lead to 3-1. Victoria would then take control of the period as Jeff Shattler scored twice on back to back the power plays in order to tie the game 3-3. Victoria would continue their offensive assault as Corey Small and Derek Lowe scored in order to give Victoria a 5-3 lead heading into the second period. In the second period the two teams showed how evenly matched they are as they were able to match each other goal for goal as each team scored two goals in order to make the score 7-5. Victoria though would find a way to gain the edge as Derek Lowe scored with just 4 minutes left in the period in order to extend Victoria’s lead to 8-5 heading into the third period.
In the third period Langley would kick their offense into high gear as Kyle Bolton scored for Langley just a minute into the third period in order to make the score 8-6. Langley would then score two more goals back to back as Joel McCready and Athan Iannucci scored to make the score 8-8. Victoria though answered back as Matt Yager scored in order to take the lead 9-8. Langley answered back as Shayne Jackson scored to once again tie the game 9-9. Matt Yager would score with 5 minutes left in the game in order to give Victoria a 10-9 lead. Alex Turner would score for Langley with just 30 seconds left in the game in order to tie the game 10-10 and force overtime. In overtime Corey Small scored 3 minutes into overtime in order to give Victoria an 11-10 lead. Victoria’s defense would then shut down Langley’s offense in order to win the game 11-10.
These two teams proved why they are the two best in the WLA as they are very evenly matched. Langley lost this game though due to their inability to crack Victoria’s defense in overtime. The three stars of this game were Jeff Shattler of Victoria who was named 1st star for his 2 goal and 2 assist performance, Athan Iannucci of Langley was named second star for his 4 goal performance, and the third star of the game was Derek Lowe of Victoria who had 2 goals and 4 assists. With the win Victoria moved into third place.  Langley with the loss remained in first place in the WLA. Victoria will next be in action on July 27 against the Nanaimo Timbermen. Langley will next be in action on Wednesday July 25 against the Maple Ridge Burrards.
In the second game on Saturday night the Coquitlam Adanacs took on the Nanaimo Timbermen. The first period began with Nanaimo opening the scoring as Cory Conway scored to give Nanaimo a 1-0 lead. The two defenses then began to take control of the game as both offenses were held in check till 8 minutes into the first period when Scott Ranger scored in order to extend Nanaimo’s lead to 2-0. Coquitlam though would quickly get back into the game as Steve McKinlay scored in order to cut Nanaimo’s lead to 2-1. The two teams would continue to play great defense as the scored remained 2-1 going into the second period.
In the second period Coquitlam’s offense took control of the game as Daryl Veltman scored 3 goals in under 6 minutes in order to give Coquitlam a 4-2 lead. Mark Negrin would score again for Coquitlam in order to extend their lead to 5-2. Nanaimo would answer back as Joel Henry scored to make the score 5-3. Coquitlam would once again extend their lead though as Kevin Olson scored in order to make the score 6-3. Nanaimo would get back into this game though as Scott Ranger sparked Nanaimo’s offense with two goals while Joel Henry added a goal of his own in order for Nanaimo to tie the game 6-6. Coquitlam though was undeterred as Jason Jones scored in order to once again give Coquitlam the lead. At the end of the second period Coquitlam lead 7-6. In the third period  both team’s offenses continued to fire on all cylinders as both teams traded goals with each team scoring two goals. The score was now 9-8 for Coquitlam. Scott Ranger though would score for Nanaimo in order to tie the game 9-9 with just 10 minutes left in the game. Dane Dobbie though would score for Coquitlam 2 minutes later in order to give Coquitlam a 10-9 lead. Coquitlam’s defense  found a way to shut down Nanaimo’s offense in order to secure a 10-9 victory.
Nanaimo played a tough game tonight but fell just short in the third period as they could not stop Coquitlams offense. Coquitlam won this game due to their defense stepping up in the third period and stopping Nanaimo’s offense from regaining the lead. The first star of the game was Nanaimo’s Scott Ranger who had 5 goals and 3 assists on the night, the second star of the game was Dane Dobbie who had 1 goal and 5 assists, and the third star was Coquitlam’s Daryl Veltman who had 3 goals and 2 assists. Nanaimo with the loss continues to struggle and remain in 6th place in the WLA. Nanaimo will next be in action on Sunday July 22 against the Burnaby Lakers. Coquitlam with the win advanced past Langley into first place in the WLA. Coquitlam will next be in action on Thursday July 26 as they face off against the New Westminster Salmonbellies.
