Dick’s Fish ‘n Chips Novice Ravens began the 2012 box lacrosse season with four games last weekend.
On Saturday, the Ravens played host to the Nanaimo Timbermen #1 for a double-header exhibition match at Strathcona Gardens.
In game one, the Ravens gave up quick goal and had a hard time finding their feet. But after the 10 minutes, the Ravens tied it up on a goal by Jake Wilson.
The second period saw the Ravens take control with two unanswered goals. Taylor Arbeau scored on a breakaway, followed by a short-handed marker by Ethan Blacklock.
There was a tense moment when Campbell River netminder Erik Forbes faced a barrage of five consecutive shots, but he kept the Timbermen at bay.
In the third period, the Ravens added three more goals. Arbeau earned his hattrick, scoring twice in a minute, and then added a fourth for good measure with the teams playing four-on-four, for a 6-4 victory.
Forbes faced 17 shots and made some quality saves.
Game two was more evenly matched. The Timbermen started things off taking a 2-0 lead before the Raven went on the attack. Blacklock and Michael Shields-Brown scored to tie the match with Finley Goodliffe picking up an assist.
The second period saw Michael Shields-Brown scoring with an assist to Forbes, and goals by Goodliffe and Arbeau.
In the final frame, the Ravens were fighting to get back on top with a goal by Arbeau, but they were unable to get the win. Final score was 8-6 for the Timbermen.
Ravens’ netminder Emily Forbes faced 18 shots.
On Sunday, the Ravens headed off to Nanaimo to play Timbermen #2. With a hard-fought effort, the Ravens registered goals by Michael Shields-Brown, Jake Wilson, Goodliffe and Blacklock. Forbes faced 18 shots. Final score was 7-5 for the Timbermen.
In game two, the Ravens continued their struggle and dropped the second match to the Timbermen. Ravens’ goal scorers were Goodliffe, Wilson, Wellard and Shields-Brown.
The novice Ravens play another double-header on Saturday at Strathcona Gardens when they face Timbermen #2, and then head back to Nanaimo on Sunday to face the Timbermen #3 for yet another double-header.