Timbermen Double Up on Lakers

Walter Cordery, Nanaimo Daily News

July 12

Coach Art Webster is breathing a little easier now that his Nanaimo Timbermen swept the Burnaby Lakers in weekend Western Lacrosse Association action. "This keeps us in the playoff hunt," Webster said after the T-Men eked out a victory in Burnaby 9-8 Friday and then rallied with a big third period Saturday to beat the Lakers 13-10 at the NIC. The two wins give the Timbermen a slight advantage over the Maple Ridge Burrards in the race for the fourth and final playoff spot. "I think the two wins puts us in a very good position. We are six and eight right now and Maple Ridge is six and nine," said Webster.

Lewis Ratcliff dominated Friday night's game scoring five goals, making him the WLA's scoring leader. Webster called Saturday night's game a barn burner. "It was very exciting lacrosse. We took a 7-1 lead but they fought back and were leading 8-7 at the end of the second. I'd say that's when our goalie Matt King stepped up his game and played his best game, when we needed it most. "We were also helped because Scott Ranger came out of a three-game scoring slump."

PLAYOFF PUSH: Nanaimo hosts Coquitlam on July 17th and will go for the season sweep of Burnaby on July 18th, both games a 7 PM face off at the NIC. These match ups have serious playoff implications, so you're not going to want to miss the action!