It took one game before they got going, but the senior B Nanaimo Timbermen found their game.
The West Coast Senior Lacrosse Association team swept the Valley Rebels on Saturday and Sunday at the Nanaimo Ice Centre by scores of 12-4 and 15-4 after dropping the season opener Thursday at Ladner, 5-3.
“These games were important, after that first loss for us, to get back on a winning track and start building,” said Mike Maughan, the team’s coach.
Goalie Nick Patterson has been leading the way early this season, allowing five or fewer goals in all three games.
“The defence is playing really well,” he said. “They’re letting me see the shots, they’re keeping the shots where I like them from, from the outside, there’s lots of talk out there and they’re playing really tough.”
Maughan said his guys feel better about themselves after scoring so many goals on the weekend. He also felt his team stuck to its game and didn’t get into bad habits while playing with a lead.
“The team’s having a lot of fun, [we’re] feeling good about playing with each other and the confidence is great,” Patterson said.
In Sunday’s blowout, Ryan Forslund had five goals and two assists, Steve Higgs had a hat trick and four assists, Travis Mickelson had two goals and six assists and Ryan Hanna had two and two.
The day before, Higgs had four goals, Simon Stocks had two goals and two helpers and Cody Boon also scored twice.
GAME ON … Nanaimo plays at North Shore and Langley on Friday and Saturday (May 1-2).
sports@nanaimobulletin.com