Opening weekend a learning experience for young squad

NANAIMO — The first weekend of the BCJALL season was a learning weekend for the Junior A Timbermen. 

Nanaimo's young squad with a heavy contingent of Intermediate A call ups lost 16-4 on home floor to Victoria and 16-5 on the road to the defending Minto Cup champs in Coquitlam. 

In Friday's home opener the Tmen were outshot 60-35 by the Shamrocks, who had five point performances from Cole Pickup and Brian Robb. For the Timbermen Colton Lidstone had two goals and an assist, Drew McFadyen had a goal and one assist, and Will Johansen also chipped in with a goal. 

Kain Stewart and Colin Jeffrey split the goaltending duties. On Sunday against the Adanacs Will Johansen and Nolan Morrison led the way for Nanaimo with four point performances. 

The top guns for Coquitlam were Dennon Armstrong with seven points and Angelo Pontellini with six. 

The Tmen were outshot 67-36 with Darian Claxton handling the goaltending duties. 

Nanaimo is back in action this Saturday on the road against Delta at 5 p.m, and then they'll be away again May 6 in New West. 

The next home action for the Timbermen is Sunday May 7 at 4:30 p.m. versus Burnaby.