The Langley Thunder proved they belonged in the Mann Cup.
The host Thunder put forward a valiant effort before surrendering its first-ever Canadian senior A lacrosse championship series four games to one to Ontario champion Brampton Excelsiors on Monday.
Brampton doubled Langley 6-3 in the final game at the Langley Events Centre to win its third Mann Cup in the past four years and 10th overall national title.
Although falling in five games, Langley was far from being a pushover.
Full value for its playoff sweep of the Victoria Shamrocks and comeback win over the New Westminster Salmonbellies in the B.C. final, Langley played the Excelsiors tight in the last three games of the series.
But few gave the Thunder much of a chance against the East.
After a surprising 113 victory by Langley in the Mann Cup opener, Brampton replied to tie the series with a 9-4 win.
After that, it was anyone's series to win.
"I underestimated Brampton's defence," said Langley's Rod Jensen. "I knew their offence was going to be good with Dan Dawson and their goaltending was outstanding. But I thought we could break their young defence down."
Nevertheless, Langley took the remaining games right down to the final buzzer before dropping an 8-7 decision in Game 3 and a 5-4 nailbiter in Game 4 heading into the must-win Game 5 on Monday.
In Game 3, the Thunder came back from a 4-0 firstperiod deficit behind the back-up goalkeeping of player-of-the-game Joe Bell.
Athan Iannucci gave Langley a 3-1 lead in the second period of Game 4 before Brampton rallied to win.
Langley goalie Brodie MacDonald showed the maturity and resolve that won him rookie of the year honours, stopping 39 shots in the final game.
"It's an amazing story," said Jensen. "He (MacDonald) was pretty much lit up in Game 2. I yanked him in Game 3 and he comes back in games 4 and 5 and plays absolutely amazing."
But goaltending was not the only area Langley excelled in.
The Thunder defence became its hallmark behind the draft acquisitions of Brett Mydske, and rookies Jarrett Toll and Nick Bilic.
But next season will bring a host of new challenges for a Langley franchise that came of age.
"Right after the game, it (the loss) was hard to swallow. . But at the end of the day they walked out with their heads up and feeling pretty proud of themselves," Jensen said.
