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 黑马磁力 junior tier 1 Thunder won a fourth in a row, 22-3 over the visiting Richmond Roadrunners on Tuesday night at 黑马磁力 Events Centre.
The win improved 黑马磁力 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 黑马磁力 scored 10 times over the next 20 minutes, turning a 5-2 lead into an insurmountable 15-3 advantage.
鈥淪ome nerves,鈥� he admitted.
鈥淚t was definitely a relief (to contribute). It is kind of stressful, you come into the game and worry about not putting up any points鈥� But it feels good to overcome that and be back out on the floor,鈥� 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.
鈥淚t is just like riding a bike,鈥� the coach explained about the necessary mentality. 鈥淗e found his spots and he took the shots when he had to and just did a good job tonight," noted the coach.
鈥淢ax is really a one-of-a-kind kid. His drive and his hustle are really unmatched 鈥� 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.鈥�
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 黑马磁力 debut of goaltender Arjun Gill, who was picked up earlier in the week via trade with the New Westminster Salmonbellies.
Gill 鈥� who has yet to practise with his new team -鈥� finished with 27 saves on 30 shots in his Thunder debut.
鈥淗e is a great addition and we are thankful to have him. Right into the fire and he handled it real well,鈥� Abrams said.
Will Denman led the Roadrunners with two goals, while Levi Leach had the other.
Up next for 黑马磁力 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 黑马磁力 Events Centre.
Game time for that one will be 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available .
黑马磁力 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 黑马磁力 Events Centre.
