The Nanaimo Timbermen came a long way in a week.
The city’s senior A Western Lacrosse Association squad lost 13-11 to the Victoria Shamrocks on Saturday at Frank Crane Arena, but it was a competitive matchup, unlike the blowout on the road eight days prior.
“The first game there was a lot of doubt within the dressing room on if we were going to be able to compete with Victoria or compete in this league… and this game we competed,” said Kaleb Toth, T-men coach. “They know what they need to do now to be in games and to win games.
“And it’s not up to trick plays that I’m going to design or anything like that. It’s going to be up to them to decide on whether they want to work hard enough to win.”
Nanaimo, coming off a midweek road win against the New Westminster Salmonbellies, carried that confidence into their home opener against Victoria. The T-men led 4-1 early in the second, but soon fell behind 6-4. Nanaimo tied the game four more times, including 10-10 with five minutes left in the third, but never regained the lead.
“We just didn’t get a couple bounces. Sometimes the lacrosse gods don’t give you them,” Toth said. “But the guys worked hard, it was an exciting game and I’m happy and we’re going to take a positive out of it, but we’re not going to accept the losing part.”
Brandan Smith, Timbermen alternate captain, said goalie Pete Dubenski had a great game, the offence moved the ball and cut well, and the defenders got out on shooters and knew their assignments.
“We just had a solid team game… Everyone came to play,” he said.
Ryan Lee scored three goals and added three assists to lead Nanaimo and Randy Jones also scored a hat trick. Cody Bremner had two goals and two helpers and Colton Clark, Jake Cullen and Brett Hawrys were Nanaimo’s other scorers.
For Victoria, Rhys Duch had three goals and three assists and Jeff Shattler had two goals and five assists. Former T-men players Myles Kenny and Paul Brebber each scored once. Matt Roik was the winning goalie as shots were 49-39 in favour of the visitors.
The T-men will now get ready for back-to-back road games next weekend.
“We’re not going to try to change anything, because nothing’s broken,” said Toth. “We’re three games in and we’re 1-2 … We’re a good team; we’re a good young team and we’re going to be competitive.”
GAME ON … The T-men visit the Coquitlam Adanacs on Saturday (June 4) and the Maple Ridge Burrards on Sunday. Next home action for Nanaimo is June 11 when the T-men take on the Langley Thunder in a 6 p.m. faceoff at Frank Crane Arena.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com