The Nanaimo Timbermen scored a lot of goals in a barnburner win on the weekend, but one of those goals, in particular, stands out.
Goaltender Nick Patterson scored an empty-net goal from his crease as the senior B T-men defeated the North Shore Indians 16-12 on Saturday at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.
“They were down and they had a power play [so] they were pulling their goalie quite a bit…” said Shawn Swanson, Timbermen player and general manager. “Anytime the opposing team’s goalie’s been pulled, I know the goalie has got that in the back of his mind, and Nick’s got some of the best stick skills on our team… I think it was a two-hopper and in.”
It was the first time Patterson has scored a goal as a goaltender at any level. His last goal came as a runner back in minor lacrosse.
“After I threw it, it looked like the line was good. You just never know if someone’s going to get off the bench in time to come and stop it, because that’s happened before,” he said. “[Scoring a goal] is something fun and something that doesn’t happen very often as a goaltender, so I just really enjoyed it.”
His teammates were pretty excited, especially since the goal helped sew up a win against a surprisingly star-studded Indians lineup featuring such names as Athan Iannucci, Kerry Susheski, Alex Gajic, Kyle Belton and Tom Johnson.
“Their team definitely had some good scoring power on the roster and I think we really battled and did everything we could to keep ahead of them,” Patterson said. “I thought it was a good team win.”
The game was at the NIC instead of Nanaimo’s usual home floor, Frank Crane Arena, and the atmosphere was really good, Swanson said.
“It was a packed barn at the NIC and stuff like [Patterson’s goal] happening just adds to the excitement. It was a good locker room after the win.”
It was the second-straight win for the senior B T-men following three losses, and Patterson said the team is heading in the right direction.
“I think we definitely are,” he said. “We had a lot of changeover from last season, so you know there’s going to be an adjustment period where people are getting to know each other and how each other plays. Everyone’s really coming together and we’re playing as a team, which is very important.”
Patterson finished with 37 saves as his team was outshot 49-42. Corey Shires led the offence with four goals and three assists, Jon Diplock had four goals and two assists and Andrew Miller also scored a hat trick. Derek McLeod had a goal and four helpers and Travis Mickelson, Swanson and Shane Atwell were other scorers.
In other club news, the senior B T-men signed transition player Brad Mazzocato and forward Mitch Parker from the senior A Timbermen.
GAME ON … The senior B T-men host the Royal City Capitals on Sunday (June 12) at 5 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
