Last year’s B.C. senior B champions are excited about starting the process anew.
The Nanaimo Timbermen begin the West Coast Senior Lacrosse Association season this Sunday (May 1).
“I’m excited about the team,” said Shawn Swanson, T-men general manager. “It’s really local, it’s young and we’ve got the guys that have won us some championships in the past, so I think we’re going to remain in the top end again.”
The senior B T-men beat the Victoria Wolves 10-8 in an exhibition game last weekend.
“Just about every player played really well,” Swanson said. “There were some surprises as far as new guys that we got to see and we’re happy about that.”
The senior B T-men retain the core that helped them to regular-season and playoff titles in 2015, while leading the league in both goals for and goals against.
“Offensively we’ve got the same studs we’ve always had, so I think that’s going to look a lot the same, and in net we’ve got [Nick] Patterson again, so that’s going to look the same,” the GM said. “The biggest change will be our defence and transition. We’re a lot younger, but less experienced.”
Jon Diplock leads the offence, with Ryan Forslund, Travis Mickelson and Steve Higgs some other high-scoring forwards. Newcomer Corey Shires will be another offensive contributor, along with recently reacquired Devon Casey.
Ryan Hanna and Andrew Miller return as key transition guys, supported by Brett Fleming and Shane Atwell. Simon Stocks is coming off injury, but will be a key shut-down guy, and transition defender Aaron Vanderhorst will also be back in the mix.
Patterson will be backed up by Danny Walters and Connor Woroniuk.
“[It] definitely helps that we still have a good group of veterans on the roster so that will help transition some of the new players,” said Mike Maughan, the team’s coach. “It’s always nice to have some new guys come through the roster and liven things up a little bit.”
Early in the season, the coach said he’ll look for a balance in the game plan, using what’s tried and true, while also tailoring it around this year’s talent.
“We definitely have a style of play and we still like to play really fast and really aggressive, so we’re going to continue to try to play that way and I’m sure we’ve got the guys to do that for us,” Maughan said.
He said it’s hard to know what other clubs around the league will bring to the floor in any given year. The Timbermen will try to prepare themselves to be able to win against anyone.
“We feel we’re going to be a strong team again, so we definitely want to make notice to the league that we’re going to defend that title and we’re going to be there right to the end, when it matters.”
GAME ON … The T-men face the Valley Rebels this Sunday (May 1) at 5 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena. Tickets will be available at the door.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com