The senior B Nanaimo Timbermen won Game 2 to even their lacrosse playoff series, but they’re not in a celebratory mood.
Player-manager Shawn Swanson suffered a serious neck injury after getting checked from behind in the second period of Sunday’s 11-6 win in Ladner.
Swanson was scheduled for surgery Monday and is expected to make a full recovery, but is facing a long stay in hospital.
“It’s a tough game, but we all work in the morning and it’s tough to see something like this happen,” said Mike Maughan, T-men coach. “It definitely put a sombre mood on the result of the game.”
Andrew Miller scored a hat trick to lead the T-men, with Brendon Anger scoring a pair. Other scorers were Jon Diplock, Mitch Parker, Derek McLeod, Ryan Hanna, Corey Shires and Jake Mickelson. Nick Patterson was the winning goalie as shots were 54-38 in favour of the visiting team.
"The performance was really impressive, especially after they beat us on our home floor…" Maughan said. "I definitely know our team is capable and talented enough, but it was just a matter of being able to find what we needed to do."
He said his team brought the right kind of mindset into Sunday's game and started fast. The Timbermen were leading 7-3 when Swanson went into the corner in the offensive zone, chasing a loose ball, and was checked from behind into the boards by Ladner Pioneers opponent Kevin Redhead.
"I imagine a long, long suspension," Maughan said. "He got a match penalty and he literally just finished a three-game suspension, for what, I don't know, but he's definitely got a history in the league and a reputation."
Maughan said his team won’t be out looking for revenge in Game 3.
"It's not going to make Shawn feel better, it's not going to make ourselves feel better," Maughan said. “The majority of the guys on the other team we respect. We play hard and we battle hard, but we respect them."
The Pioneers won Game 1 by a 10-7 score Friday at the Nanaimo Ice Centre. Diplock and Parker had two-goal games for the T-men in that one.
GAME ON … The teams play Game 3 of the best-of-five Tuesday (July 26) at 7 p.m. at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
Note from a senior B player. They're really hoping for fan support for Tuesday's playoff game, 7 p.m. at the NIC… pic.twitter.com/SJdd49C9Sn
— Greg Sakaki (@BulletinSports) July 25, 2016