Gary Johansen

By Dan Marshall

Back in the box

Nanaimo Timbermen out to prove they’re a contender

May 30, 2019 | 12:16 PM

NANAIMO — The first weekend of play is in the books for the Nanaimo Timbermen, filled with revenge and challenges.

The Timbermen started their WLA season on Friday, May 24 against their archrivals the Victoria Shamrocks. It was a charged game, since the Shamrocks ended the Timbermen’s 2018 playoff chances with a 4-1 series victory.

This year, the Tmen earned their revenge in the first game of the season with a convincing 11-6 win.

Goalie Charles Claxton was sharp in net as both Braylon Lumb and Tyson Roe chipped in two goals.

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On Sunday the Tmen returned to Nanaimo for their homeopener against the New Westminster Salmonbellies at the Frank Crane Arena.

New West built up an 8-4 lead but Nanaimo came all the way back to eventually tie it 9-9.

The Bellies added to late goals to win 11-9.

Captain Brody Eastwood led the way for the Tmen with three goals and two assists.

Nanaimo Coach Kaleb Toth said though the weekend had a lot of positive moments, it also showed key areas in need of improvement.

“I thought Friday’s game was really good. I thought the intensity was there, the willingness, the hard work,” he said. “Sunday it didn’t look like there was a lot of energy out there. We were playing ok, it’s just we didn’t have the same energy and focus as Friday night.”

The team is now on a long layoff, not playing against until they host the Shamrocks on June 6.

Toth says the Tmen will use the time wisely.

“Hopefully we’ll get all our guys back out. But they can also scout and watch film, watch what other teams are doing, their habits and their tendencies.”

After just their second playoff appearance in 14 years in 2018, there’s a lot of optimism about the way the team will perform this season.

With a defence team filled with veterans, team preside Chris Bowman said they’ll rely on their foundations for much of 2019.

“I think we’ve got the best defence in the league hands down,” Bowman said. “The speed, the skill, the size, the transition that we have – it creates a lot of our offence and some games it’s a difference maker.”

The Timbermen hope to have two important pieces of their offence back in Nanaimo very soon.

Newly acquired Sean Tyrrell will come back from a stint with NLL champions the Calgary Roughnecks.

It’s hoped Chase Fraser will return from Buffalo after winning the 2017 WLA Rookie of the Year and 2018 WLA Second Team All Star.

As the Timbermen wait to hit the floor, two other highest profile lacrosse teams have posted big wins.

The Senior B Timbermen are 5-1 in the WCSLA, and the Junior A squad is 6-1 in the BCJALL.

If those clubs keep their form and the Senior A team can live up to expectations, 2019 could be a banner year for Nanaimo box lacrosse.

dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @danmarshall77