The Nanaimo Timbermen know they can turn their season around. But they also know they need to do it sooner than later.
The city’s junior A lacrosse team dropped to 0-5 Wednesday after a 12-9 loss to the Victoria Shamrocks at Frank Crane Arena.
It was another matchup that was a one-goal game at times.
“Once we get even or get up a goal we kind of mellow out,” said Tyson Roe, T-men player. “We’ve got to keep up the pressure and keep pushing for a bigger lead.”
Coach Dale Nicks pointed to an occasion in the second period where the Timbermen scored to make it a one-goal game, then went for an ill-advised line change off the ensuing faceoff and allowed the Shamrocks to strike.
“Those are momentum shifts in the game where we’d got a goal and got back in it and then bad decision-making for 10 seconds and the ball’s in the back of our net again,” said Nicks.
The coach thought special teams was the difference in the game, as the T-men couldn’t take advantage on the power play and couldn’t limit the damage in short-man situations.
“They came down in that third period and basically scored at will against our short man,” said Nicks.
The goaltending matchup was an interesting one, as Nanaimoite Mike Berti got the start for the Shamrocks and former ’Rocks goalie Cory Mayzes tended goal for the Timbermen. Berti and Cody Hagedorn combined to make 31 saves and Mayzes also made 31 saves.
Mitch Parker led Nanaimo’s offence with two goals and three assists, Corey Shires had two goals as well and other T-men scorers were Marino Best, Brett Fleming, Roe, Ryan Nicks and Stu Mills.
The nine goals represented Nanaimo’s best offensive output of the season to date, but Dale Nicks knows his young players are capable of better.
“The net inside their head isn’t big right now,” he said. “They’re basically seeing the goalie and the pipes and they’re not seeing the net.”
GAME ON … The junior A Timbermen play two games on the mainland this weekend, facing the Delta Islanders Saturday (May 12) and the Burnaby Lakers Sunday … Nanaimo’s next home game isn’t until May 26 against the Port Coquitlam Saints … To see another photo from Wednesday's game, please click here.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com