The Peterborough Timbermen fell to the Toronto Monarchs on Saturday afternoon 17-13 at Millbrook Arena. The Timbermen are still looking for their first win with six games left to play in the Arena Lacrosse League’s regular season.
“We’re a hard working group and we always play through the 60 minutes,” said defenceman Brad Lyons, who racked up 21 penalty minutes in the fourth quarter as temperatures boiled over a pair of Monarchs who had been dishing out dirty plays all game.
“Most of the time it doesn’t go our way, but we’re going to battle all the way to the end and we know… it’ll be a good battle. Everybody plays a little taller and they weigh a little more when they know that [their teammates] in the room have their backs and that’s a really good thing for the team.”
The Timbermen recently acquired face-off specialist Koichi Nakamura, a Japanese lacrosse player who has ambitions of being the first Asian-born and raised player in the National Lacrosse League, as well as Kendrick Angus, a forward from Akwesasne. Each contributed an assist in the game, and Lyons said their addition provided some energy for the squad.
“They were both fantastic. They boosted our offence. We had more movement, we had more shots and it boosted the confidence of our whole team overall,” said the assistant captain.
Nakamura was welcomed to the team at practice on Friday night
“They’re good guys and good communication, even in practice last night. Everybody say ‘Koich, welcome to the team!” Nakamura beamed after the game. “I was a bit nervous because it was my first time to the practice and the game. I’m super proud of joining the team right now.
“I’m going to open the door for the next generation of Japanese kids to play in the future, so I wanted to come here and play as many games as possible and get the knowledge to bring back to Japan. Playing for a Peterborough team will be a huge experience for me,” he said.
Riley Curtis led Peterborough with a hat trick and three assists. Curtis currently leads the ALL with 25 goals and sits fourth in points with 49.
Jordan Dance (8G/2A) and Parker Pipher (3G/7A) led Toronto with 10 points each.
The Timbermen’s next home game is Saturday, February 25 at 2 p.m. at Millbrook Arena vs the Paris River Wolves. Tickets will be available at the door. To view the Timbermen’s full schedule, visit https://www.peterboroughtimbermen.com/schedule/.
Next Saturday, February 18, they’re on the road to face the Whitby Steelhawks at 7 p.m. at Children’s Arena in Oshawa.
TIMBERMEN SCORING:
Riley Curtis (6-3)
Blaze White (2-2)
Parker Sands (2-1)
Colton McNutt (1-2)
Aaron Bradshaw (1-1)
Ben Doherty (1-0)
Jack MacAlpine (0-2)
Justin Bragg (0-1)
Ken Angus (0-1)
John Crough (0-1)
Koichi Nakamura (0-1)
Braeden Smith (0-1)
Owen Dale (0-1)
