In a game they badly needed to win, the Nanaimo Timbermen lost in improbable fashion. The T-men fell 11-10 in overtime to the Coquitlam Adanacs on Sunday in Western Lacrosse Association action at Frank Crane Arena.
Nanaimo had scored an empty-net goal to go up 10-8 with 38 seconds left, but lost a faceoff and gave up a quick goal, then lost another faceoff and gave up another goal.
The Adanacs scored on their first shot of overtime and although the Timbermen dominated the extra frame, they couldn’t manage a tying marker.
“The faceoff guy, unless he wins it to himself, it’s a 50-50 loose ball and we’ve got to be a little more diligent on getting those loose balls and a little bit meaner,” said Kaleb Toth, Timbermen coach. “And it didn’t happen and it cost us the game.”
Although Nanaimo fired 11 shots on goal in overtime, Toth would have liked more shots the whole night as the Adanacs outshot the T-men 54-47.
“We’re looking for the perfect shot, not just a shot,” the coach said. “If we shoot the ball more we’re going to score more.”
It was the second-straight one-goal loss on home floor for the Timbermen, as the New Westminster Salmonbellies prevailed 8-7 on Saturday at Frank Crane Arena. The biggest crowd of the season was on hand for that one as the T-men paid tribute to the 1956 Nanaimo Timbermen team that won the Mann Cup.
That was another game that Nanaimo led for most of the third period before surrendering two late goals.
“I thought tonight and yesterday we deserved better outcomes. I thought we outplayed Coquitlam; I thought we outplayed New West,” Toth said. “And I thought we deserved to win both games.”
The weekend had major implications in the standings as the T-men could have risen into a playoff spot with two wins, but instead fell back against the opponents currently holding down those third and fourth playoff positions. Toth said his team is on the cusp of better things.
“We’re going to make sure that we do improve and that we keep practising hard and keep a positive attitude,” he said.
In Saturday’s loss, Ryan Lee, Colton Clark and Cody Bremner had two goals each and Cole Kryworuchka, Jake Emms, Tyson Roe and Taylor Stuart were other scorers. Mike De Girolamo tended goal.
For Coquitlam, Ryan Johnson had a hat trick, Reid Reinholdt and Travis Cornwall had two each and Marty Dinsdale supplied a goal and five helpers. Dan Lewis was the winning goalie.
The night before, Brett Hawrys scored a hat trick, Bremner had a pair and Lee and Brody Eastwood had one each. Pete Dubenski played goal as shots were 50-44 in favour of the home team.
Jordan McBride and Connor Robinson had two goals each for the Salmonbellies, Mitch Jones had a goal and four helpers and Alexis Buque was the winning goalie.
GAME ON … The senior A Timbermen don’t play again until July 5, when they visit the Burnaby Lakers. The teams then play a rematch July 10 at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
Throwback jerseys for both teams tonight as Nanaimo Timbermen host the New Westminster Salmonbellies… #WLA pic.twitter.com/GNu2ntHRP6
— Greg Sakaki (@BulletinSports) June 26, 2016
