A short bench didn’t stop the Nanaimo junior B Timbermen from claiming their first victory of the season Monday.
With 12 players on the floor the T-men kept up the pace to win 6-3 on the road against Victoria Esquimalt in Pacific Northwest Junior Lacrosse League action. The junior team lost its home opener 6-2 to the Westshore Bears late in April.
Coach Ken Morrison said he was proud of the work ethic he saw on the floor.
“It’s great to get the win on the road,” said Morrison. “The guys worked hard. I was so excited for them.”
Morrison said the players communicated well which generated quality shots and more ball movement.
“We had guys cutting the middle to score more on the net,” he said. “We didn’t do a lot of that in the first game.”
Rookie Dean Borelli scored a hat trick and had two assists, Tanner High, Connor Morgan and Dustin Kothlow tallied one goal each, and Brody Mickelson, Billy Good and Josh Cronan all assisted on goals. Mike Berti was in goal and stopped 36 of 42 shots on net.
The T-men hope to build on the momentum the win generated as they face the Saanich Tigers Wednesday (May 11) at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.
The Tigers’ style is an enigma to the T-men, being the team’s first year in the league.
Morrison said Nanaimo will prepare like they’re going to battle one of the top teams in the league, bringing a fast-paced style.
Game time is 7:30 p.m.
