Skip to content

Timbermen beaten by Salmonbellies

The Nanaimo Timbermen were defeated 12-7 by the New Westminster Salmonbellies in WLA action Sunday at Frank Crane Arena.
3498nanaimotmen_web_IMG_8699
Nanaimo Timbermen player Mac Johnston

The Timbermen couldn't keep up their winning ways against the league's best team.

The Nanaimo Timbermen were defeated 12-7 by the New Westminster Salmonbellies on Sunday at Frank Crane Arena. Nanaimo had a good start, leading much of the first period, but had some penalty trouble and couldn't quite get in synch in any facet of the game.

"New West outworked us, they out-loose-balled us and they pressed us a lot tonight and the guys just didn't have an answer to what they were doing," said Dave Bremner, assistant coach.

He said on defence, the T-men were getting spread out too far and were forced to stick-check because they were out of position.

Offensively, the Timbermen couldn't get to the front of the crease consistently, apart from Cayle Ratcliff, who scored four goals.

"It's a physical game and it's a physical league…" he said. "We've got to sacrifice ourselves a little bit more; we've got to be willing to take the lumps."

Ratcliff, the team captain, said Nanaimo needs to be the hardest-working team to win.

"Tonight we weren't and we got burned for it," he said. "An early lesson in the season and now we've got to respond."

The assistant coach said there isn't anything wrong with losing, provided the team learns from it.

"The guys are actually pretty positive for the most part," Bremner said. "We didn't play as well, so we have a lot of things we can change, a lot of things we can work on and we'll be better."

Cody Bremner scored two goals for the T-men and Mac Johnston had the other. Logan Schuss had a goal and six assists for the 'Bellies. T-men goalie Zak Boychuk was relieved midway through the game by Peter Dubenski. Shots ended up 47-39 in favour of New West.

GAME ON … The teams play a rematch Thursday (June 4) at Queen's Park Arena.

sports@nanaimobulletin.com