This week’s Island rivalry game built up to a third-period showdown, and the Shamrocks prevailed over the Timbermen.
Victoria defeated Nanaimo 10-7 in Western Lacrosse Association action on Saturday at Frank Crane Arena.
The game was close almost all the way through and was tied 6-6 going into the third period before the visitors outscored the home team 4-1 in the final frame.
“I thought it was a great game,” said Kaleb Toth, Timbermen coach. “I thought their veteran experience was the difference.”
The Shamrocks scored early in the third to go up 7-6, but after that there was a 10-minute stretch in which the T-men had long stretches of offensive possession and hit some posts but couldn’t come up with key goals at that time.
Toth expressed some frustration that his club’s firepower can’t match Victoria’s.
“Any given night we can win the game, we just need to not make mistakes and work hard and help each other out,” he said. “Lacrosse is broken down into little aspects and if you can win those little battles and those little aspects and do the little things right, odds are you’re going to come out on top.”
Jake Cullen and Jon Phillips scored twice each for Nanaimo and Dan Michel, Chase Fraser and Quinn Smith also tallied. Mike DeGirolamo tended goal for the T-men as shots ended up 60-55 for the Shamrocks.
For Victoria, Corey Small had a hat trick and three assists, Joel Resetarits had two and two and Casey Jackson had a goal and four helpers. Aaron Bold was the winning goalie.
The Shamrocks clinched a WLA playoff berth with Saturday’s win, while the T-men can’t lose many more games as they they sit six points outside of a playoff spot.
“We’ve improved, we’re winning games, we’re still in close games,” Toth said. “I’m not disappointed with the season and it’s not over, we still can sneak into the last playoff spot, but we just need to keep playing hard.”
GAME ON … The Timbermen visit the Langley Thunder on Wednesday (July 19) and then take on the Coquitlam Adanacs on Saturday, also on the road.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com