The Nanaimo Acme Timbermen, already in first place, hope they’ve strengthened their team into a cup contender.
The Acme Painting Timbermen senior B lacrosse club added three players at the trade deadline – defenders Chris McElroy and Bobby Debrone and transition player Shane Chalker.
McElroy is a nine-year National Lacrosse League veteran, Debrone played senior A this season and Chalker is an Acme T-men veteran.
“We filled some holes that we needed on defence; our offence has been clicking all year,” said Shawn Swanson, Timbermen general manager. “It’s a matter of which team’s going to show up.”
The Acme T-men saw their win streak come to an end Sunday on the mainland in a 9-8 loss to the Valley Rebels.
“The ball didn’t seem to go where we wanted it,” Swanson said. “We had a lot of shots but we weren’t hitting the net.”
Devon Casey had a four-goal game and Jon Diplock, Ryan Clark, Cody Keating and Ryan Forslund also scored. Danny Walters tended goal.
The Acme Timbermen are preparing for their final regular-season home game this Sunday (July 6) at 5 p.m. against the Ladner Pioneers at Frank Crane Arena.
Swanson said winning on Sunday to clinch home-floor in the playoffs would be massive.
“[It] is a big difference for us,” he said. “We play really well at home, other teams don’t always come with their top lineup and in the playoffs you travel during the week.”
sports@nanaimobulletin.com