Welcome back Max Goller.
Making his long-awaited junior debut following a 13-month absence, as he recovered form a serious knee injury, Goller finished with four goals and five points as his Langley junior tier 1 Thunder won a fourth in a row, 22-3 over the visiting Richmond Roadrunners on Tuesday night at Langley Events Centre.
The win improved Langley to 10-3 on the BC junior tier 1 lacrosse league season while the Roadrunners lost a fifth straight to fall to 1-9.
Goller was held off the scoresheet in the first period, before responding with four goals in the middle frame as Langley scored 10 times over the next 20 minutes, turning a 5-2 lead into an insurmountable 15-3 advantage.
“Some nerves,” he itted.
“It was definitely a relief (to contribute). It is kind of stressful, you come into the game and worry about not putting up any points… But it feels good to overcome that and be back out on the floor,” Goller shared.
Thunder coach Connar Abrams said the key for Goller was to overcome any anxiety he may have had about stepping onto the floor after such a lengthy absence.
“It is just like riding a bike,” the coach explained about the necessary mentality. “He found his spots and he took the shots when he had to and just did a good job tonight," noted the coach.
“Max is really a one-of-a-kind kid. His drive and his hustle are really unmatched … there is going to be a lot more Max Goller to come. It was great to see him get back in here and he really found his stride.”
The Thunder struck for a season-high 22 goals with Mason Eastgate managing the sock trick to go along with four assists for a 10-point game while Logan Claxton had a hat trick and nine helpers for a 12-point outing.
Connyr Welch (2-5), Jameson Reed (2-4), Owen Van Ryn (2-4), and Dallas Kilpatrick (1-3) added big games in the win with Brodie Colquhoun and Jameson Read adding a goal each.
The game also marked the Langley debut of goaltender Arjun Gill, who was picked up earlier in the week via trade with the New Westminster Salmonbellies.
Gill – who has yet to practise with his new team -– finished with 27 saves on 30 shots in his Thunder debut.
“He is a great addition and we are thankful to have him. Right into the fire and he handled it real well,” Abrams said.
Will Denman led the Roadrunners with two goals, while Levi Leach had the other.
Up next for Langley is a two-game set with the Delta Islanders with the teams playing at the Ladner Leisure Centre on Friday, June 6, before wrapping up the home-and-home series on Tuesday, June 10, at Langley Events Centre.
Game time for that one will be 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available online.
Langley Thunder lacrosse organization consists of senior A, junior A and junior tier 1 teams who play in the Western Lacrosse Association, BC Junior A Lacrosse League, and BC Junior Tier 1 Lacrosse League respectively. All three teams play their home games at Langley Events Centre.
