Ever since the Nanaimo Timbermen traded away Lewis Ratcliff, fans have worried that he’ll come back to haunt them.
The Timbermen players, however, won’t be intimidated as they face Ratcliff and the Langley Thunder on Sunday (May 20) at Frank Crane Arena. It’s the season opener in the Western Lacrosse Association, it’s the home opener for the Coastal Windows Timbermen and it’s Ratcliff’s debut with his new team. The former MVP will be playing in Nanaimo for the first time since he was controversially suspended from the T-men by owner Hadi Abassi late last season.
“He’s going to want to come in here and rip it up. I know that and everyone else knows that,” said Art Webster, Timbermen coach. “We have to be prepared, to make sure we make life as miserable as possible for him.”
Timbermen rookie Tyler Matheson will wear Ratcliff’s old No. 42 and he and the rest of the T-men will keep a close check on the sniper.
“We know what he likes to do, but he’s very good at it, at the same time,” said Simon Stocks, alternate captain. “We’re going to have some nice one-on-one battles with him and some players on our team and it will be fun to see how it turns out.”
GAME ON … The Timbermen and Thunder face off at 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students and $5 for children … For a season preview on the senior A T-men and more news involving the team, please click here.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com