Team discipline is improving and the Peninsula Warriors Junior B lacrosse team proved they can hang on for a win Sunday afternoon at Panorama Recreation Centre.
The Warriors hosted the Nanaimo Timbermen June 2 and jumped out to a 3-1 first period lead. Peninsula held the pace of the game firmly in their hands up until nearly the mid-way point of the second period. A few penalties cost the locals the lead, as Nanaimo stormed back to tie the game 7-7 on a series of power play goals.
Peninsula captain Tyler Flint says his team is getting better, taking fewer penalties, but they still let Nanaimo back into the match at various points throughout the final period.
“So, our guys had to step up,” he said.
And step up the Warriors did. They scored three times in the final minutes of the second period, including a goal by Flint with 14 seconds left in the frame, making their lead 10-7.
The teams would trade goals in the third period, but the Timbermen would not roll over.
With under two minutes left in the game, Nanaimo made it interesting to come within a goal of another tie. The Timbermen attacked the Peninsula goal and scored three in a row over the goalie’s shoulder. With Nanaimo smelling blood, the Warriors turned to Flint to help control the play and their other senior players to hold possession.
Brett Wilson would add an insurance marker with 55 seconds left in the period, putting the Warriors up 13-11 for the win. A Nanaimo time out with 20 seconds left could not get them another goal.
“They played pretty well, Flint said of Nanaimo, noting that this was Peninsula’s third win over the Timbermen this year.
“We are getting better,” he added.
Peninsula faces a test next week when they host Saanich June 12 at Panorama (7:30 p.m. game time) and then travel to Westshore the next night. Flint said Saanich is probably the top team in the league, so the Warriors have to play well.