Sometimes a tie can be unfulfilling, but this one probably gave fans their fill.
The Nanaimo Timbermen tied the Burnaby Lakers 11-11 on Sunday night in Western Lacrosse Association action at Frank Crane Arena.
The T-men were able to take a point from the Lakers despite being down 6-1 early in the second period. Nanaimo came all the way back to lead 9-8 with three minutes left before the visitors sent it to overtime tied 9-9. In the extra frame Burnaby went up 11-9 early, but again, Nanaimo came back.
“You’ve got to be somewhat happy with taking a point out of that game,” said Cayle Ratcliff, Timbermen veteran. “I’m really proud of the way the boys battled back. It took a full team effort.”
He said it took a lot of character to respond to Sunday’s adversity.
“I really don’t think our teams in the last couple of years have showed that kind of character to be able to come from 6-1 and a goalie change,” Ratcliff said.
Starting goalie Matt King was pulled late in the first period and backup Zak Boychuk gave his team the goaltending it needed to make a comeback possible. He made 36 saves on 41 shots as the T-men were outshot 57-51.
“We can’t put ourselves in that position at the first period… We had to chase, chase, chase for two periods,” said Art Webster, Timbermen coach. “I thought the energy level was great from the second period all the way through and in the overtime but that’s how we need to play for 60 minutes if we want to be successful.”
Ratcliff said the Timbermen might have started slow because going into the game with a 2-3 record, they knew it was an important one in the standings.
“Going 3-3 or 2-4 is a huge point in the season. Everybody knew that before the game and we came out with too tight of hands,” he said. “But we loosened up and battled back.”
Joel Henry sparked the comeback with four goals and two assists and Scott Ranger had two goals and three helpers. Cory Conway had a goal and four assists, Cody Bremner had a goal and three assists and Jordon Sealock, Kyle Hofer and Ratcliff were the other scorers.
GAME ON … Nanaimo’s next game is Sunday (June 17) when it hosts the New Westminster Salmonbellies (3-3) at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena … To see another photo from Sunday’s game, please click here.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
