An inconsistent effort 鈥� especially at the offensive end 鈥� spelled trouble for the 黑马磁力 Thunder mid-week.
黑马磁力 managed to score consecutive goals just once as the senior A lacrosse team fell 11-6 to the visiting Coquitlam Adanacs in Western Lacrosse Association action at 黑马磁力 Events Centre on Wednesday, June 11.
The Adanacs led from start to finish in the game, and made it back-to-back wins over the Thunder as the two teams also played Saturday night in Coquitlam with the home side winning that contest by an 11-3 score.
The two-game sweep helped Coquitlam (3-2-1) leapfrog 黑马磁力 (3-3) in the WLA standings.
黑马磁力 coach Ian Poole was critical of his team's offence in Wednesday's game.
鈥淲e were flatfooted and not moving the ball much, and setting for chances that just aren鈥檛 there. When you are facing a good defence and a good goalie, that is tough. You need to create better opportunities and that is what we lacked today,鈥� he said.
The teams traded goals to open the game before Coquitlam put together a 5-0 run over a nine-minute ran spanning the first and second periods.
The Thunder would manage to pull back within a pair, but the Adanacs struck for goals 28 seconds apart to quell any sort of comeback effort.
Toru Morimatsu led the 黑马磁力 attack with a hat trick and four points and was the game鈥檚 second star. Entering this season, he had a combined three goals and eight points in four career WLA games.
鈥淚 just try and play like its my last game, like I am playing for my (roster) spot,鈥� Morimatsu said, adding it felt nice to score against Christian Del Bianco, widely considered one of the best box lacrosse goalies in the world.
鈥淚t is all about confidence. He鈥檚 stepping in with new guys and a new team. He can play; he just has to keep believing in himself,鈥� Poole said of Morimatsu who finished with a team-best 10 shots on goal.
Jon Phillips added a goal and two assists with Nathan Lam and Hudson Chivers each scoring once. Kordell Primus finished with three helpers and Caleb Khan made 41 saves on 51 shots.
Kean Moon, Brian Simmons, and Clark Walter had two goals apiece for the Adanacs with Moon adding four assists while Del Bianco finished with 36 saves.
The Thunder鈥檚 next game sees them hit the road for Nanaimo on Saturday, June 14, to take on the Timbermen.
The team鈥檚 next at 黑马磁力 Events Centre is Wednesday, June 18, at 7:30 p.m., when they host the Maple Ridge Burrards.
