Timbermen firepower fizzles against Rocks

Michael Briones of The Nanaimo Daily News

May 31, 2010

The Nanaimo Timbermen extended their losing streak to four. After getting off to a good start, the Timbermen went gun-shy in the third to lose 13-9 against Island arch-rivals Victoria Shamrocks in front of a packed gallery at the Nanaimo Ice Centre. It was another disappointing night for the Timbermen who are considered to be contenders this season with their star-studded line-up. Last year's Western Lacross Association scoring champion Lewis Ratcliff paced the Timbermen early as he burned his former team with two quick goals in the first two minute of play. They closed the first period with a 5-3 advantage

In the second, it was the Shamrocks that came out firing. Two shots from way out by Rhys Duch and Dyland Llord squared things at 5-5. The Timbermen's leading scorer Scott Ranger regained Nanaimo's lead and Cayle Ratcliff increased it to two, close to the midway mark. But in the later stages, the Shamrocks responded with two goals by Duch and Kevin Dostie to end the period tied 7-7. In the final frame, the Shamrocks opened with a quick goal 21 seconds into the period and it opened the floodgates as they scored three unanswered goals to grab the lead for the first time 11-7. The Timbermen cut the lead to 11-9 on goals by Danny Farmer and Scott Stone but they were unable to stop the Shamrocks who scored two more goals to stay in control until the final whistle. Lewis Ratcliff had two goals and three assists, Scott Ranger scored twice and assisted in two others, and Farmer chipped in two goals.

BOXLA BANTER: The game's three stars were Rhys Duch, Lewis Ratcliff and Jeff Shattler ... the Shamrocks outshot the Timbermen 39-54

The Timbermen head over the Malahat for another date with the Shamrocks on Friday night. You can catch all the action on the Live Video Webcast right here on tmen.ca. Nanaimo returns home to host Maple Ridge on Sunday, June 6th at 7 PM.