The Nanaimo DBL Timbermen are contenders as the playoffs get underway.
The city’s West Coast Senior Lacrosse Association team (8-6) won its last regular-season game 10-6 on Saturday, against the Royal City Capitals at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.
The game had playoff implications – the two teams were slated to meet in the first round of the playoffs no matter what, but now Nanaimo gets home-floor advantage in the best-of-three series.
“The guys settled in and played really well,” said Roger Dubyna, the team’s coach. “Defensively we really pressured them, kept them to the outside most of the night.”
He said his offensive guys weren’t totally in sync, but were still able to get the better of the Caps’ defenders.
“Once they started to get the feel for who they were with, they moved the ball really well,” said Dubyna. “Our guys were a little quicker and a little better on the pick-and-roll game.”
B.J. Potter, Kyle Noble and Shane Chalker led the Timbermen with two goals each and Ryan Dietterle, Keith Nyberg, Kyle Couling and Reid MacPhail also scored. Aaron Vanderhorst added three assists.
Sten Lundgren earned the win in goal, making 36 saves and allowing only two goals against in a relief effort.
GAME ON … Game 1 will be played in New Westminster tonight (July 18). Game 2 is Wednesday (July 20) at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena and Game 3, if necessary, will be Saturday at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com