The Nanaimo Timbermen thought they’d learned their lesson when it comes to slow starts, but as it turns out, maybe not.
The Coastal Windows Timbermen senior A lacrosse team (2-3-1) was defeated 10-7 by the New Westminster Salmonbellies on Thursday on the Lower Mainland.
New West leaped to a 6-0 lead after the first period and made the margin stand up while Nanaimo adjusted its game.
Scott Ranger was top scorer for the Timbermen with a hat trick and two assists, while Lewis Ratcliff scored a pair. Cayle Ratcliff had one goal and Myles Kenny tallied his first of the year on a breakaway.
Starting goalie Matt King was pulled in the second period and backup Zack Boychuk was strong in relief, stopping 19 of the 22 shots he faced.
There were three fights in game, with Bubba Westwood, Sean Nugent and Doug Langlois all dropping the gloves. Westwood’s boxing match was a draw, as was Langlois’ tussle, but Nugent got knocked out in his scrap.
The ’Bellies had their star goalie Matt Roik in the crease for the first time this season and he made 45 saves including all 18 he saw in the first frame.
GAME ON … The Timbermen play the Burnaby Lakers (2-5) on Sunday (June 19) at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena … One of the players to watch in that one will be the Lakers’ Colton Clark, a Nanaimoite who is fifth in the Western Lacrosse Association in scoring so far with 28 points.