The best game of lacrosse season, so far, ended the right way.
The Nanaimo DBL Timbermen defeated the Tri-City Bandits 8-7 in overtime on Thursday night at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.
The game was tied 2-2 after one period, 5-5 after two and then 7-7 going in sudden-death OT. Timbermen player Jon Diplock won the opening faceoff of overtime and got the ball to Shane Chalker, who finished off the rush with the game-winning goal.
“The guys were just really opportunistic and they jumped on it really early,” said Mike Maughan, coach of the DBL Timbermen. “We’ve been preaching that – if we ever have a good opportunity, take it and don’t hesitate.”
The Bandits (3-0-0-1) had gone into the game as the West Coast Senior Lacrosse Association’s only undefeated team, but the Timbermen (3-2) were just a bit better in all areas on Thursday.
“Our offence kept moving the ball and running the clock down and I think it tired their defence out a little bit…” said Brad Jones, Timbermen captain. “Our defence played really strong and kept some of their key goal scorers out of the way.”
Maughan said the Nanaimo offence is getting smarter with its possessions and cutting down on turnovers. At both ends of the floor, he said, the Timbermen are getting used to playing with one another.
They also showed some discipline and patience.
“It was tight the whole way, but whether we were down a goal or up a goal, we stayed focused and worked to try to get that next goal,” Maughan said.
Diplock led the offence with four goals, Ryan Forslund had a goal and two assists and Scott Stone and Trevor Walton were the other T-men who scored goals leading up to Chalker’s winner. Goaltender Pat Mallough had a strong game as his team outshot the visitors 49-44.
The Timbermen have a whole week before their next WCSLA action. They plan to build on this win, but also enjoy it.
“We knew they were a good team and they came with a pretty solid lineup,” said the coach. “So it was a good win, it wasn’t a cheap win. So we feel good about it.”
LACROSSE TALK … Next action for the DBL T-men is Friday (May 25) in Abbotsford against the Valley Rebels … To see a slideshow of photos from the first month of Nanaimo lacrosse season, featuring Timbermen teams of all levels, click here.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com