The junior A Nanaimo Timbermen earned their first win of the season and the first win for a new coaching staff and group of players.
The lacrosse team defeated the New Westminster Salmonbellies 13-7 on Sunday at Queen’s Park Arena. The win came one day after the junior Timbermen lost their home opener to the Delta Islanders 14-6 at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.
Jon Nicholson, Timbermen general manager, said his team played with more discipline in Sunday’s win and was successful five-on-five.
“We still played aggressive, we were still hitting hard and everything like that, but I think we played with a little bit more smarts,” he said.
In the win at New West, Nanaimo held an 8-7 lead going into the third period and then sealed the win by outscoring the ’Bellies 5-0 in the final frame.
“It did show a lot from the boys, to be able to extend that lead and really step on the throad in the third period there,” Nicholson said.
Matt Zeller didn’t allow a goal in the third and stopped 50 shots overall as his team was outshot 57-39.
Leading the offence was Connor Leies, who scored two goals and added five assists. Brett Hawrys had two goals and three helpers, Alec Molander, Brody Glemnitz and Cole Kryworuchka had two goals apiece and Tarrin Davies had a goal and four assists. Other scorers were Darrin Wilson and Monty Chisholm.
The day before, Hawrys scored two goals and Leies, Molander, Kryworuchka and Chase Anderson were the other scorers. Jensen tended goal.
The GM said this past weekend’s win will be important for the team.
“It’s definitely a confidence builder, and I think it’s a good building block going forward here,” Nicholson said. “We’ve got some winnable games coming up and we’ve really god a chance to build on that and hopefully go on a streak here. But one at a time.”
GAME ON … The junior A Timbermen host the Burnaby Lakers on Saturday (May 9) at 5 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
