By Casey Bennett

LANGLEY — The Langley Lions triumphed over the Port Moody Panthers with a final score of 3-1, fueled by a balanced offensive attack and strong goaltending in front of a roaring home crowd. Key moments included Mateo Ferrara’s sharp one-timer goal that ignited the Lions early, and Andrei Markov’s late slap shot that sealed the game. This win solidifies the Lions’ position as a formidable contender this season.

The game started with high energy, and it was the Lions who struck first. At an early stage, Fatima Zahra capitalized on a rebound opportunity set up by Yusuf Kadir, breaking the deadlock and giving Langley a 1-0 lead. The home team dominated the early play, generating pressure and controlling puck possession.

Midway through the first period, Ferrara fired a blistering one-timer goal, assisted by Elif Kaya and Zahra, extending the Lions’ lead to 2-0. Port Moody’s goalie Daria Vasilieva faced a barrage of 46 shots, managing to keep her team in the game despite succumbing to efficient Lions shooting.

Port Moody answered in the later stages with a wrist shot goal from Jack O’Reilly, who was a persistent offensive threat throughout the match. His effort cut the deficit to 2-1, injecting some life into the Panthers.

However, Langley’s Andrei Markov sealed the victory in the second period, adeptly scoring on a powerful slap shot assisted by Ferrara. Markov’s 14 shots on goal applied relentless pressure that wore down Port Moody’s defense.

Between the pipes, Langley’s Sigrid Magnusson was outstanding, stopping 22 of 23 shots and maintaining composure during critical moments, notably several saved shots from O’Reilly. “Our team’s effort was incredible tonight, every player stepped up, and the fans’ energy was huge,” Magnusson said postgame.

Coach Devon Cartwright praised the team’s offensive balance, “This was a complete team effort. Our guys executed the game plan perfectly and showed resilience when Port Moody tried to come back.”

Key Notes:

• Langley Lions outshot Port Moody Panthers 46-36
• Andrei Markov led the Lions with 14 shots and 1 goal
• Langley’s Sigrid Magnusson posted a 95.65% save percentage with 22 saves
• Port Moody Panthers had 38 turnovers compared to Langley’s 26
• Mateo Ferrara scored one goal and assisted on another, proving pivotal on offense

The Langley Lions showcased tactical discipline and offensive firepower to claim this vital home victory, leaving the Panthers searching for answers on the road.