Nanaimo Bulletin Article on 10-10 tie with Burnaby

By Greg Sakaki

One footstep was all that separated the junior A Nanaimo Timbermen from winning in overtime.

The T-men settled for a 10-10 tie against the Burnaby Lakers on Saturday in B.C. Junior A Lacrosse League action at Frank Crane Arena.

With nine seconds to go in OT, the Timbermen drew up a play and executed it, but their goal was disallowed due to a crease violation.

“That was exactly what we drew up. Exactly, to a tee,” said Dave Bremner, Nanaimo coach. “So it was exciting and a great way to end the game … The guys knew that if we just stuck around, they’d have a chance to win and it was a great play all the way around. It’s just a game of inches.”

Cody Clark, Timbermen captain, said the play was so close that players went and examined the sweat marks in the goal crease.

“It could have gone either way, really,” he said. “We’re happy that we were able to tie the game, at least, and we got at least one point.”

Burnaby opened up a 9-6 lead by the midway mark of the third period, but Nanaimo made a goalie switch, tightened up its defence and made it 9-9 heading into overtime.

“Everybody fought really hard today and it was good to see from us,” Clark said. “It’s good to see all the boys working their butts off and putting in that fight all the way to the end of the game.”

Bremner said the team’s defensive play got better when the game was on the line.

“When our guys play good, solid defence and cross-check and stick to the fundamentals, they’re a good defence, and I think we started to realize that. A couple goals early we were stick checking and stuff like that … There’s some mistakes that we can clamp down on and make better for the next game.”

Alec Molander led the T-men attack with a hat trick and Adam Golia and Clark had two goals apiece. Other scorers were Nolan Morrison, Brendan Harstad and Matt Jung. Darian Claxton and Kain Stewart shared time in goal as shots ended up 49-45 in favour of the Lakers.