This past weekend there were two games on the WLA schedule the first was on Saturday as the Coquitlam Adanacs faced off against the Langley Thunder and the second was on Sunday as the Nanaimo Timbermen faced off against the Maple Ridge Burrards.
The first matchup of the weekend matched  the Coquitlam Adanacs against the Langley Thunder. These two teams have met twice so far this season with each team winning a game. Coquitlam won the first matchup 7-6 while Langley won the second matchup 7-6. These two teams both came into this game looking to prove they are the better team along with grabbing an important win to keep pace in the standings.
The game began with Coquitlam and Langley exchanging goals early to make the score 1-1. Coquitlam though would take the lead as Dane Dobbie scored two goals on the power play to give Coquitlam a 3-1 lead after one period of play. In the second period the two teams continued to exchange goals as Langley scored 3 goals but were matched by Coquitlam scoring 2 of their own to make the score 5-4. Coquitlam though would extend their lead as they scored three consecutive goals to close out the second period. After two periods of play the score was 8-4. In the third period Coquitlam shut down Langley once and for all by preventing them from scoring. Coquitlam would add four more goals in order to win the game 12-4. With the win Coquitlam moves to 5-5 on the season and into fourth place in the league and just two points out of first. Langley with the loss falls to 6-4 and into second place in the league.
Coquitlam had their best game of the season on Saturday night as they played excellent defense and held the second highest scoring team in the WLA to only four goals. Coquitlam received another standout performance from Nick Rose who stopped 29 of 33 shots. Coquitlam also had their best offensive performance to date and were lead by Dane Dobbie’s excellent performance as he notched 5 goals and 2 assists and was named first star of the game. Coquitlam’s next game is Saturday June 30 against the Nanaimo Timbermen.
There is not much to say about Langley after this game as they were dominated in all aspects of the game. Langley’s goalies Steven Fryer and Brodie Macdonald both struggled in net to stop Coquitlam’s offense. Langley also was unable to get their offense going due to Coquitlam’s stingy defense. Langley needs to learn from this loss and see how they can improve. Langley’s next game will be on Wednesday June 27 against the New Westminster Salmonbellies.
The second game on the WLA schedule was on Sunday night as the Maple Ridge Burrards took on the Nanaimo Timbermen. This was the first time these two teams have met this season. Both teams came into this game being desperate to get a win.
Maple Ridge started the scoring off in this game but Nanaimo quickly answered back with two goals. Maple Ridge would score another goal to tie the game at 2-2. Nanaimo though would score another two goals to end the period and take a 4-2 lead. In the second period Nanaimo dominated Maple Ridge scoring three goals and holding Maple Ridge to only a single goal in the period. Nanaimo led the game 7-3 after two periods of play. In the third period Maple Ridge would attempt to make a comeback as they scored 3 straight goals to cut Nanaimo’s lead to one as the score was now 7-6. Nanaimo though would not back down as they scored three consecutive goals to ensure their victory. Nanaimo won the game 10-6. With the win Nanaimo moves to 4-3-1 on the season while Maple Ridge continues to struggle as their record slides to 1-9-1.
Maple Ridge lost this game due to their inability to hold off Nanaimo’s offense in the third period. Maple Ridge showed some grit as they were able to pull the game to within one despite being down 7-3 after two periods of play. Maple Ridge once again received strong play from Randy Daly and Derek Lowe. Daly had 3 assists while Lowe had 2 assists on the night. Maple Ridge needs to find a way to start winning games if they hope to even have a chance at making the playoffs. Maple Ridge’s next game will be on Thursday July 5 against the New Westminster Salmonbellies.
Nanaimo notched an important win tonight as they are now within just 1 point of fourth place and are still in a good position to make a push for the playoffs. Nanaimo won this game due to their offense being able to pick apart the Maple Ridge defense. Nanaimo benefitted from strong performances from Cayle Ratcliff who had 3 goals and an assist and Scott Ranger who had 2 goals and 4 assists. Nanaimo played a good game but will want to continue to improve on defense if they want to make a run for the playoffs. Nanaimo’s next game is Saturday June 30th against the Coqutilam Adanacs.
