The last time the Tri-City Bandits played at the Nanaimo Ice Centre, they hoisted the B.C. championship trophy.
There won’t be any celebrations like that Saturday (June 25) at the NIC, but whoever wins will be pretty happy – Bandits versus DBL Timbermen is always a big game.
“We feel we can beat them and the guys like that challenge,” said Roger Dubyna, coach of Nanaimo’s senior B lacrosse team.
Tri-City won’t bring over the same group of players who won the championship last year, but the Bandits are still considered favourites to repeat at West Coast Senior Lacrosse Association champs.
“They’re a much younger team than they were last year; they’re not as experienced,” Dubyna said. “But they’re quicker so we’ve got to be prepared to run.”
Nanaimo has limited its penalty minutes the last few games, and the coach said that’s a trend that will have to continue if the T-men want to beat the Bandits.
GAME ON … Saturday’s game has been moved up to 7 p.m., not 7:30 p.m. as originally scheduled. Nanaimo’s other two remaining home games have also been switched to 7 p.m. starts at the NIC. The reason is to accommodate mainland teams in hopes those teams will reciprocate that flexibility come playoff time.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
