On Sunday night the Burnaby Lakers took on the Nanaimo Timbermen. As the WLA season continues to wind down the playoff race has started to heat up. This was an important game for both teams as Burnaby needed a win in order to keep pace with the Victoria Shamrocks and continue to hold 4th place and the final playoff spot in the WLA. While Nanaimo needs a win desperately after losing their last 2 games in order to keep their hopes of a playoff berth alive.
The game began with both teams showing off their defensive muscle. Both Burnaby and Nanaimo’s offenses were shut down for most of the first period. Burnaby though finally drew first blood with 9 minutes left in the period as Scott Tinning scored to give Burnaby a 1-0 lead. Burnaby would quickly build on this lead as just 40 seconds later Dane Stevens scored to increase Burnaby’s lead to 2-0. The first period would end with Burnaby leading 2-0 as Burnaby’s defense was able shut down Nanaimo’s offense in the period. In the second period the game changed from a defensive struggle into a full blown offensive shootout. Burnaby opened the flood gates as Carlton Schuss scored just 58 seconds into the period. The two teams would then go on to victimize both goalies as the two teams combined for 14 goals in the period. Nanaimo was able to score 6 goals in the period and were lead by Scott Ranger who had 3 of the 6 goals in the period. Joel Henry provided the other three goals for Nanaimo. Burnaby  proved in the first period they were better defensively then Nanaimo while in the second period they proved they were offensively better as Burnaby scored 8 goals in the period. Carlton Schuss and Colton Clark scored 2 goals each for Burnaby while Scott Jones, Shaun Dhaliwal, Peter McFetridge and Casey Jackson each had a goal in the period. At the end of the second period the score was 10-6 for Burnaby.
In the third period Nanaimo began to fight their way back into this game as Scott Ranger struck just 2 minutes into the period in order to make the score 10-7. Burnaby would then shutdown Nanaimo’s offense once again while Nanaimo’s defense shutdown Burnaby’s offense. With 9 minutes left in the third period though Mike Brascia scored for Burnaby to extend their lead to 11-7. Nanaimo though did not give up as just a minute later Joel Henry scored for Nanaimo to make the score 11-8. Scott Ranger would add another goal just a minute later to make it 11-9. Nanaimo would continue to battle and Cayle Ratcliff scored with just a minute left in the game to make the score 11-10. Nanaimo would try to tie the game and force overtime but Burnaby held them off in the final minute of the game in order to walk away with the 11-10 victory.
Nanaimo this weekend came up short in both their games as they only lost by 1 goal to Coquitlam on Saturday and lost by only 1 goal against Burnaby. Nanaimo has played well recently but they have not been able to find a way to win. Nanaimo will need to win their next two games if they want any hope of making the playoffs. Nanaimo once again received great performances from Scott Ranger and Joel Henry. Ranger was named first star of the game for his 5 goal and 2 assist performance. Henry was named second star of the game for his 4 goal performance against Burnaby. Nanaimo’s next game will be against the Victoria Shamrocks on Friday July 27.
Burnaby showed tonight showed tonight why they are a team to be feared as they are one of most well rounded teams in the WLA with their ability to play stingy defense as while as having an explosive offense. Burnaby also has a great goaltender in net as Dan Lewis stopped 43 of 53 shots on net and was a big part of Burnaby’s win tonight. Burnaby also received a great performance from Colton Clark who was named 3rd star of the game for his 2 goal and 1 assist performance. Burnaby will need to continue to win in order to ensure their playoff spot. Burnaby will next be in action against the Coquitlam Adanacs on Friday July 27.
