The Burnaby Lakers worked their way out of the B.C. Junior Lacrosse League forest basement with a 7-6 felling of the Nanaimo Timbermen.
The junior A Lakers trailed for just one minute and 19 seconds of the opening period en route to their one-goal win and a one-point lead over their Nanaimo hosts on Saturday.
Josh Simons led the Lakers with a pair of goals. The first coming in the final minute of the middle period on a short-man situation that put the visitors up 5-4 heading into the final frame.
His second, and team-high 14th goal of the season, proved the game-winner. Simons currently leads the Lakers in overall shot average with a 34.15 per cent scoring pace.
Ryan Watson also tallied a pair for the Lakers, including the Lakers' opening goal that tied the contest 1-1 in the second minute of play.
Bryan Gillis also tallied a shorthanded marker less than midway through the first period that gave the visitors a 3-1 lead.
Xander McDonald had his best outing in the Burnaby cage this season, stopping 29 Nanaimo shots for his first win this year.
Burnaby plays host to the Port Coquitlam Saints at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre today (Sunday) at 7 p.m.
