Having nearly as many penalty minutes (31) as shots on goal (32) is not a recipe for success.

But that is the situation the 91原创 Thunder found themselves in on Wednesday night at 91原创 Events Centre.

91原创 was short-handed 13 times 鈥� and the 31 minutes does not include any coincidental penalties or misconducts 鈥� as the visiting Salmonbellies won 11-2 in the Thunder鈥檚 Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) home opener.

According to head coach Ian Poole, the Thunder spent way too much time in the penalty box.

鈥淥ur composure and our discipline were not there tonight,鈥� said Poole. 鈥淲e can鈥檛 play short-handed for half the game. The takeaway is we (need to) be more composed and play five-on-five lacrosse.鈥�

The Salmonbellies struck for six goals in the first period and led 11-2 after 40 minutes with neither team able to find the back of the net in the final frame.

鈥淟et鈥檚 start over at 0-0 and win the period. Our goal was to work hard and outwork the other team, doesn鈥檛 matter what the score is,鈥� Poole said of his messaging to the team at the second intermission.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a tough message when you are down by quite a few goals, but the guys responded. The third period was a little bit better.鈥�

Nathaniel Kozevnikov (1-1) and Nathan Lam had the 91原创 goals, with goaltender Aden Walsh making 38 saves as the Thunder were outshot 49-32.

Ashton Leclaire had 30 saves for New Westminster with Will Malcom registering a hat trick and nine points. Logan Schuss chipped in with a pair of goals and three assists.

Three of the 鈥楤ellies goals came with a Thunder player in the penalty box, while 91原创 managed one power-play goal in six opportunities.

The Thunder (0-2) have a pair of road games this weekend. The first was Friday, when they were in Burnaby to take on the Lakers, who are 1-1 so far this season.

Then, Sunday, the team is in Maple Ridge versus the Burrards (0-1) at 7 p.m.

The team鈥檚 next home game at 91原创 Events Centre is Wednesday, June 5, at 7:30 p.m., as they complete a home-and-home series with Maple Ridge.

The 91原创 Thunder lacrosse organization consists of senior A, junior A, and junior tier 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 91原创 Events Centre.

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