The Nanaimo Timbermen won an all-B.C. showdown in the midst a national championship tournament.
The senior B Re/Max T-men defeated the Ladner Pioneers by an 8-6 score Wednesday night at the Presidents Cup at Frank Crane Arena.
The style of lacrosse was very different from the 14-13 barnburner that decided the B.C. final earlier this month. This time, the teams were tied 4-4 midway through the game it took a couple of goals early in the third for Nanaimo to get a bit of breathing room.
“I thought we played great tonight. We came out with a lot of energy and it showed,” said Pete Dubenski, Timbermen goalie. “We got off to a little bit of a slow start, but during that second period we went on a little bit of a run there and we just didn’t look back.”
Kyle Couling, Timbermen coach, said his team earned the win with hard work.
“We elevated it every period; we worked a little bit harder and smarter,” he said, adding that the team is making fewer mistakes.
Nanaimo is continuing to jostle for a spot in the tournament’s medal round, so every win is a big one.
“Absolutely, the confidence is there, the goals are coming…” Couling said. “We’re peaking and that’s what we want to do. We want to be able to keep getting better, keep getting even tighter. Our defence is playing smoother, our offence is really getting used to moving the ball next to each other and we want to get better every game.”
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Dubenski said the team was enjoying the win and would use it to build on.
“We just need to take this momentum and keep it going, because once we get everyone on the same page, it’s tough to stop us,” he said.
Jon Diplock scored two goals to lead the T-men and other scorers were Corey Shires, Jeff Shattler, Cayle Ratcliff, Brad Mazzocato, Nick Preston and Cory Conway. Dubenski made 35 saves as shots were 41-39.
GAME ON … Nanaimo faces the Oakville Titans on Thursday, Aug. 30, at 8 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena. After that, the T-men close out round-robin play Friday with a 4 p.m. game against the Capital Region Axemen.
More photos from the game tonight. Nanaimo Timbermen beat the Ladner Pioneers 8-6… https://t.co/xnf2fNR7Dc #lacrosse pic.twitter.com/pztFLLrrs6
— Greg Sakaki (@BulletinSports) August 30, 2018
Nanaimo Timbermen beat the Ladner Pioneers 8-6 tonight at the Presidents Cup tournament at Frank Crane Arena. Nanaimo now with a 3-2 record at the tourney… #Nanaimo #lacrosse pic.twitter.com/jiHyZlTkmL
— Greg Sakaki (@BulletinSports) August 30, 2018
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