T-Men Eliminated From Post Season

July 20, 2009

With play-off spots starting to slip away from the Sr. A Timbermen, they needed to start gaining some ground. The T-Men's eyes were on fourth place and they were looking to slim down the gap from the Coquitlam Adanacs, the current fourth-place team and Saturday nights rival. The series between the two teams had proven to be very entertaining so far, with Coquitlam winning both previous games; one coming in OT. Saturday night's game was set to be the best one of the series, as Nanaimo had their season on the line.

The start of the game went very well for the T-men, who got their first two goals within the first minute of play. Things were looking promising, as goaltender Matt Flindell was stopping everything that was thrown at him, until the Adanac's finally got on the board at 6:03. The Timbermen took advantage of Coquitlam's sluggish face-offs, and scored just 17 seconds after the Adanac's first goal. With goals coming from Kaleb Toth, Simon Stocks, Myles Kenny, and Ryan Campbell the period ended in a 4-4 tie.

The second period didn't start out in the T-Men's favor, as they gave up the lead two minutes into the period. However, Nanaimo answered back with two of their own coming from Toth and Cayle Ratcliff. Shane Pederson ended the scoring in the second to hold the lead, heading into the final frame with a 7-6 advantage.

The third started out just the way Nanaimo wanted it to, with a goal coming from Ratcliff only 17 seconds in. Nanaimo looked strong until their penalty troubles began and Coquitlam quickly capitalized on all three of their power play attempts to take a huge lead with only 6 minutes left. Flindell was pulled in a last-minute effort by Nanaimo to gain the extra attacker. It proved to be the mistake of the night as the Adanacs used it against them and solidified the victory with an empty net goal. The game ended in a 13-8 loss for the Timbermen and all playoff hopes were lost with it. Next week's action can also help eliminate the Maple Ridge Burrards, when the T-men host them next Saturday at the Frank Crane Arena. Come out and support your Nanaimo Timbermen in their final games of the 2009 season.

The Timbermen appreciate the support of the fans and invite you support us for the remaining part of the season. The final two home games of the Timbermen's 2009 season are on July 25th against Maple Ridge Burrards and August 1st against the first-place Victoria Shamrocks.