The Nanaimo Timbermen had up-and-down results because their effort was inconsistent, said the coach.
The senior A T-men defeated the New Westminster Salmonbellies 11-9 on the road Thursday, but followed up with a 10-4 loss to the Coquitlam Adanacs at home Sunday.
“We had a great game in New West,” said Kaleb Toth, coach of the T-men. “Defence played great, offence played great, we shared the ball, we moved it around.
“You’d hope that we’d have the same effort the next game, but we didn’t.”
Instead, another slow start cost the home team. Nanaimo trailed 5-1 at the first intermission and the score was never close after that.
“I’m going to take the blame and say it’s me, that I’m not preparing them enough or motivating them enough and that’s why we’re having slow starts,” Toth said.
The Adanacs were faster and crisper in the first period, getting T-men defenders out of position and creating scoring opportunities. At the other end of the floor, the Timbermen couldn’t get to the crease and so they settled for outside shots.
“We can’t get outworked and that’s basically what happened – guys were standing around,” said Toth. “On offence when you’re successful, you have to move the ball but you also have to move your feet.”
Macgregor Johnston, Tyson Roe, Kyle Hofer and Paul Brebber scored goals and Zak Boychuk made 42 saves as his team was outshot 52-25. Matthew Dinsdale, Ryan Johnson and Vincent Ricci had two-goal games for Coquitlam.
In the win at New West, Brebber scored four goals, Cayle Ratcliff and Hofer had two goals and two assists each and Conrad Chapman, Jamie Sorensen and Myles Kenny were the other scorers. Boychuk made 37 saves for the win. Jordan McBride scored a hat trick for the 'Bellies and Martin Cummings tallied twice.
GAME ON … Nanaimo’s next game is Saturday (June 28) at Frank Crane Arena against the Burnaby Lakers. Faceoff is at 7 p.m. … The T-men then visit the Maple Ridge Burrards the next day.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com