The Nanaimo Timbermen faced the Burnaby Lakers for the first time this season Friday night at Bill Copeland Arena. The Lakers got their first win of the season the week prior, while Nanaimo split their two games and remain in the middle of the WLA standings. A three-goal run in the second period lifted the Timbermen to a 10-8 win, evening their record at 4-4. Burnaby falls to 1-7 with the loss.
Second period run puts Timbermen in front
The Lakers got out to a 2-0 lead on goals from Thomas Vela (5:19) and Jake Young (9:07). Noah Manning (10:19) and Colton Lidstone (12:22) responded for the Timbermen to even the game at 2-2. Finn Halladay (16:19) put Burnaby up 3-2, but Matt Boas scored late (18:34 extra attacker) for Nanaimo to make the score 3-3 after one period. Manning (2:41 second period) gave the Timbermen their first lead of the game, only for Ryan Favaro to tie it up for the Lakers 27 seconds later. The Timbermen then went on a three-goal run that ultimately made the difference in this game. Manning’s hat trick goal (3:41), Lidstone’s second (4:46), and Tysen Fontenia (6:24 shorthanded) gave Nanaimo a 7-4 edge. Ethan M’Lot broke the run at 11:25 to pull Burnaby within two, 7-5 after the second period.
What’s next for Nanaimo and Burnaby?
Vela scored on a power play (0:21 third period) to cut the lead to one, 7-6. Logan Schmidt (5:19) pushed the lead back to two for the Timbermen, but Vela’s hat trick goal (5:51 extra attacker) again got Burnaby within one, 8-7. Manning (12:26) netted his fourth to make it 9-7, but M’Lot scored his second (18:20) to cut the deficit to 9-8. However, Burnaby could not find an equalizer, and Lidstone closed out the scoring with an empty-net goal (19:35) for his hat trick.
Manning (4g, 3a) was named 1st Star of the Game for Nanaimo, while Boas (1g, 4a) earned 3rd Star honors. Vela took 2nd Star of the Game with his 3 goal, 3 assist performance. The Timbermen prevailed despite being outshot 53-46 and winning just 8 of 21 faceoffs. Colby Bowman made 45 saves in net for Nanaimo, while Keegan Melenychuk and Marc Rippberger split time in net for the Lakers, combining to make 36 saves.
Nanaimo returns to action Saturday night versus the Langley Thunder; Burnaby hosts Victoria on Friday 6/26 before their second meeting with Nanaimo on 6/27.
