Lacrosse is a game of momentum, and that’s what the senior B Nanaimo Timbermen need right now.
The T-men are down two games to none in their best-of-five semifinal series against the Ladner Pioneers after falling 17-8 in Game 2 on Friday at Frank Crane Arena. Everything went in for the visitors early as Ladner built an 8-1 lead after one period.
“They came out really well, but it was a combination of that and we didn’t have the mental start we needed…” said Mike Maughan, coach of the senior B Timbermen. “All credit to them, they capitalized on a lot of opportunities early and put us on the back foot pretty much right away.”
He said his team is still “extremely confident” because players felt they played well in Game 1 of the series, an 8-6 road loss, despite going over to Ladner with a short bench.
“So it’s not a matter of not being able to do it, it’s just a matter of focusing and doing a better job of executing,” said Maughan.
The coach said there isn’t much that needs to be said in the way of motivation going into a must-win playoff game, and he added that a lot of the guys have played in this type of situation before.
“And our team’s always had the utmost heart, so I’m pretty confident that our group’s going to come out and lay it all on the line,” Maughan said.
Corey Shires led Nanaimo in Game 2 with a hat trick and two assists and Jon Diplock scored twice. Nick Patterson played goal.
The night before, Cody Clark scored a goal and added three assists for the T-men. Danny Walters tended goal and made 43 saves.
GAME ON … Game 3 will be Monday night in Ladner. Game 4, if necessary, would be Wednesday (Aug. 2) at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com