The Western Lacrosse Association season took a turn for the worst for the New Westminster Salmonbellies.
The Salmonbellies lost any chance of a series' win over Langley following a 10-5 defeat at the hands of the Thunder on Wednesday.
With the loss, the Salmonbellies fell to 5-6 and are in serious need of a quick turnaround in a season schedule so tight any loss from this moment on could cost the unlucky loser a spot in the playoffs.
New West got behind early with Lewis Ratcliff getting the home team on the board in the opening minute of play.
Shayne Jackson potted a pair back-to-back to help the Thunder to a 4-0 firstperiod advantage.
The two teams swapped goals on two occasions just seconds apart in the middle period.
But Langley took control of the game with four straight goals to start the final frame before the visitors found another answer.
The 'Bellies got a spark from an unlikely source when defender Ian Hawksbee scored for just the second time this season on a breakaway pass midway through the second period from goalie Tyler Richards.
Martin Cummings led all 'Bellies with a goal and two assists.
Richards stopped just 22 shots, while Steve Fryer posted the win in the Thunder cage with 31 stops.
With the win, Langley moved into top spot with 14 points.
Victoria and Burnaby, both tied for second with 12 points apiece, play tonight (Friday) at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre.
New Westminster currently lies two points back, tied with Coquitlam, but just a single point up on sixth-place Nanaimo, which has three games in hand on the Fishmen.
The 'Bellies' next home game is on July 5 at Queen's Park against Maple Ridge.
