The senior B Nanaimo DBL Timbermen might not be at full speed to start the year. That’s OK – after their run to the finals last summer, they know it’s all about getting hot at the right time.
“We will be ready, gradually,” said Roger Dubyna, the team’s coach. “As time goes on I think it’ll just fall into place.”
The coach pointed out that last season the team never put the same lineup on the floor twice. The DBL men simply continued to evolve, peaking for the post-season.
“We’re going to end up in the playoffs,” said Dubyna. “Home-floor advantage is nice because the team makes money, but other than that, we can beat whoever we have to beat, wherever.”
The team will have a different look this year as a handful of veterans are retiring, most notably sniper Trevor Walton.
The back end, however, returns almost unchanged and is expected to be a team strength. Kyle Couling, Brad Jones and Jaron and Jason Dubyna are some of the veterans back there.
There will also be a familiar face in goal, as veteran Danny Walters is back healthy and ready for a strong season. The T-men haven’t yet secured a backup goalie.
The offence is where the major changes lie – almost none of the team’s front-end guys from last year are returning, with the exception of Luke MacNeil who might not join the team until June.
The major addition to the front end is big Ryan Clark, who comes to the team from the senior A Timbermen.
With the changes up front, the DBL T-men expect to lean on transition players including Shane Chalker, Shawn Swanson, Aaron Vanderhorst and highly touted addition Riley Kemp to help out offensively.
Early on in the season the coach wants to “activate our back end more” and try to play a strategic game, catching opponents out of position and capitalizing on any mismatches.
“We’ve got a lot of experience on the back end and most of those guys know how to carry the ball and know how to make some passes and run up and set picks and make plays,” said Couling.
The West Coast Senior Lacrosse Association schedule seems to work in Nanaimo’s favour, starting with winnable games against North Shore and Chilliwack.
A few early-season wins will build the foundation and the rest should fall into place.
“There’s a good core of guys that are hungry for lacrosse…” Couling said. “I believe that we can win a championship in this city and that’s what I’m playing for.”
GAME ON … The Nanaimo DBL Timbermen play an exhibition against the junior A Timbermen this Friday (April 29) at 7:30 p.m. at the Nanaimo Ice Centre. The home opener for the DBL men is Sunday (May 1) at the NIC against the North Shore Indians. Opening faceoff is at 5:30 p.m.
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