Lacrosse is a game of momentum, and the Nanaimo Timbermen couldn’t find any against the Coquitlam Adanacs.
The T-men lost their fifth straight in Western Lacrosse Association play Sunday, a 10-7 setback against the A’s.
“We’ve got to figure out a way to score goals and go on runs,” said Kaleb Toth, coach of the Timbermen. “Unfortunately we haven’t been able to do that.”
The visitors jumped out to a 4-0 lead on Sunday night and although the T-men scored a goal here, two goals there, they never carried the play for stretches. Toth said it was “the little things” that cost the team goals, and ultimately the game.
The players need to be smarter, said the coach.
“They know when they put in a real hard effort that they have a chance to win, but putting in a hard effort and being stupid lacrosse players is probably the worst thing, because you’re basically running around doing nothing,” Toth said. “We need guys to work hard and we need intelligence.”
On defence, there was confusion on loose balls and on what to do after they failed to win loose balls. On offence the coach felt players were passing the ball around “trying to be too cute” and missing opportunities to shoot.
But part of it, too, comes down to momentum – these days when it slips away, Toth said, there isn’t that belief that the Timbermen can get it back.
“And we’ve got to find it, whether it’s prayer or it’s good, old-fashioned, intelligent hard work,” he said. “We need to find it and it’s got to happen soon.”
Brody Eastwood led Nanaimo’s attack with two goals and three assists and Eli McLaughlin scored a goal and dished five assists. Cody Bremner, Ryan Sage, Doug Langlois and Randy Jones were the other scorers. Zak Boychuk made 39 saves in defeat.
GAME ON … The Timbermen now have a bye week and don’t play again until the New Westminster Salmonbellies visit Frank Crane Arena on June 27 at 7 p.m.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
