Timbermen Step up in win

By Greg Sakaki of the Nanaimo News Bulletin

The Nanaimo Timbermen responded to a challenge from the coaching staff and came up with a win.

The senior A Western Lacrosse Association team defeated the Langley Thunder 11-9 Saturday night at the Nanaimo Ice Centre. “Everyone stepped it up,” said Art Webster, coach of the T-men. “I made it very clear to them that if we’re going to move on, we need this victory. “I challenged them all and they all understood what was needed for us to win.” Nanaimo came out and controlled play in the first period but had to be satisfied with a slim 2-1 lead at intermission.

The Timbermen poured it on in the second to extend the margin to 8-4, then survived a bit of a scare in the third period. “When it got to within one goal there it was getting a little bit tense but I had full confidence in the people I was putting on the floor,” Webster said. Simon Stocks stole the ball at the centre of the floor and sprinted in for an empty netter to seal the deal.

Scott Ranger scored five goals, Lewis Ratcliff had two goals and six assists and Callum Crawford had two goals and three helpers. Cayle Ratcliff was Nanaimo’s other scorer. Stocks, Bubba Westwood, Rob Kirkby and Chris O’Dougherty were out on the floor whenever Langley put out its snipers Garrett Billings and Stephan Leblanc and Webster said his defenders did a great job. In goal, Matt King only faced 30 shots but did have to make some key saves. The win propels the Timbermen (4-7) within two points of a playoff position, and the coach said he’s paying close attention to the out-of-town scoreboard. “We can’t rely on other teams to put us in a position for us to make the playoffs…” he said. “We need to go on a run here. We’ve got to start putting some back-to-back victories together.”

GAME ON … Nanaimo’s next game is Saturday (July 3) when it hosts the New Westminster Salmonbellies at 7 p.m. at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.