The Nanaimo Timbermen head back into the box, and they’ll have to be ready, because they’re up against the league’s elite.
The senior A T-men face the New Westminster Salmonbellies this Saturday (June 27) at Frank Crane Arena. It will be the first game back for the Timbermen after almost two weeks off, and the team has used its practices to simplify the game plan.
“Nothing radical,” said Kaleb Toth, Timbermen coach. “It basically comes down to intelligence … We’re not making the intelligent decisions moving the ball up the floor. We’ve just got to slow it down for everybody and hopefully it works.”
The Salmonbellies are tied for first place in the Western Lacrosse Association and beat the T-men badly the last time the two teams met.
“It’s going to take a lot of hard work. They’re a good young team that works hard, that has some skilled shooters, so we’ve got to try to limit their opportunities,” Toth said.
New West’s greatest strength might be its defence, as the ’Bellies have surrendered the fewest goals in the league by far and shut down the T-men last time around.
“So we’ve got to definitely get more balls to the net, try to create a little havoc and maybe try to get second and third chances,” Toth said.
Now that Nanaimo has had a chance to catch its breath, it believes it can compete with the league’s best.
“I think any team can beat anyone on any given night,” the coach said. “The biggest thing is execution. Mistakes happen, but if you can limit them to not being big mistakes, and mistakes that will cost you goals, you have a good chance to win.”
GAME ON … The T-men play the Salmonbellies on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students and free for kids 12 and under.
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