The Nanaimo Timbermen won their sixth straight WLA game, beating the Maple Ridge Burrards 10-6 at Frank Crane Arena Saturday night. Nanaimo improves to 10-4; they are now just one game back of co-leaders Langley and New Westminster (11-3). The loss drops Maple Ridge to 3-9-1. Coupled with Burnaby’s doubleheader sweep this week, the Burrards are now in sixth place, a half-game behind the Lakers (4-9).
Five-goal run puts Nanaimo in front early
The Burrards got goals from Dylan McIntosh (1:05) and Drew Andre (1:56) in the first two minutes of the game. The Timbermen answered with five goals of their own to take control after 20 minutes of play. Nathan Grenon (3:05) and Jon Phillips (7:18) equalized the game at 2-2. Taggart Clark (9:05), Brett McIntyre (14:02), and Kyle Playsted (16:38) followed to give Nanaimo a lead they would not relinquish the remainder of the game.
The teams alternated goals in the second period, as Maple Ridge cut the lead to 7-5. Scoring for the Burrards were Andre with his second (12:30), Dennon Armstrong (15:25 power play), and Brett Craig (19:59 empty net). Adam Wiedemann (13:33; assisted by goaltender Justin Geddie) and Evan Messenger (15:37) countered for the Timbermen.
Is Nanaimo a Mann Cup contender too?
Power play goals from Grenon (1:04 third period) and league points leader Zach Manns (11:24) put Nanaimo up 9-5. Will Clayton (17:50 extra attacker) narrowed the margin to three for Maple Ridge. However, Manns would tally another goal at 19:14 to put an exclamation point on the Timbermen’s win. Grenon (2g, 1a) was named 1st Star of the Game, and Geddie (1a, 46 saves) earned 2nd Star honors. Drew Andre (2g) took home 3rd Star of the Game for the Burrards.
With four games to play, Nanaimo has a very realistic shot at being the #1 seed for the playoffs. They play at Victoria on 7/19, then host Langley on 7/23; they are 1-1 against each team this year. The Timbermen then play at Burnaby on 7/25 before concluding their regular season at home against New Westminster on 7/29. Given they currently have the longest win streak in the league, Nanaimo should not be taken lightly come playoff time.
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“Muffler” Mike Kostiuk was formally introduced to box lacrosse when he attended a New England Black Wolves game on a whim in 2016. Instantly hooked, he has since become an avid follower of the National Lacrosse League. Following the postponement of the 2019-2020 NLL season, he was offered the chance to share his wealth of statistical knowledge and unique insights with the lacrosse community at large. He cheerfully accepted, and currently serves as Edge of Philly’s correspondent for both the Albany FireWolves and New York Riptide.
