Campbell River's midget C Ravens enjoyed a fast start in Sunday's regular-season lacrosse finale against Nanaimo, but the visiting Timbermen closed with a flourish to claim a 9-5 victory at Rod Brind'Amour Arena.
"We got into some penalty trouble, and seemed to lose momentum when they got a couple of quick goals," Ravens coach Andy Speck said.
Goals by Gavin Hope, Todd Campbell and Jacob Hartley staked the Ravens to a 3-1 first-period lead, and Thomas Dunn's tally at 5:19 of the second made it 4-1.
That would prove to be the high-water mark for Campbell River, which still held a 5-4 lead after Tyler Dickson converted off Hartley's slick crossing pass midway through the period.
Nanaimo's comeback began in earnest with a power-play goal in the final minute of the second. The Timbermen then rattled off five unanswered goals in the third to pull away, with Josh Lunn's four-goal showing leading the way.
Dickson had two assists for the Ravens. Hartley, Jared Super and goalie Jarred Piercy added helpers.
The Ravens were awaiting the results of a playoff seeding to determine their playoff opponent and location, which had not yet been announced Tuesday. Speck said that to succeed in the postseason the team will need to tighten up defensively and eliminate the breakaways that plagued it in the late stages of Sunday's game.
"We need to work on a little more of a defensive game," he said. "Our offense is going pretty well; we're just getting caught not getting back in time."
Campbell River Ravens attacker Jacob Hartley, right, dodges the swinging stick of Nanaimo defender Jimmy Orr on a rush to the goal during their Midget C box lacrosse game at Rod Brind'Amour Arena Sunday, June 28, 2015. — J.R. Rardon/Campbell River Mirror