Buccaneers win a wild one
The game itself was a bit of a shootout, and then it got decided by a shootout.
The Nanaimo Buccaneers outscored the Campbell River Storm and won 6-5 on Thursday night in Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League action at the Nanaimo Ice Centre. Each team took a turn holding a two-goal lead in the third period, but no lead was safe on the night.
Beau Blanaru's hard shot from the slot won the shootout after Will McNamara scored on a deke and goalie Cam Large stopped both Storm shooters he faced.
"Our kids have come from behind a lot," said Brad Knight, coach of the Buccaneers. "It's nice to know we feel that comfortable because a lot of teams don't have that mentality."
The Storm got a goal to go up 3-1 early in the third period, but the Bucs took over at that point, scoring four goals in a five-and-a-half-minute span.
"I thought we controlled the game the whole way through – I don't think the score should have been the way it was in the third period," said Noah Russi, who had a goal and two assists for Nanaimo. "But we battled back, got pucks to the net and just worked hard."
Dan Foglietta started the comeback by finishing off a three-way passing play on a rush. Lee Orpen tipped in a point shot to tie it, Johnathan Speer banked one in from behind the net and then McNamara fired one in after a extended pressure in the Storm zone.
Nanaimo's 5-3 lead didn't last, as Campbell River tied it up late, but neither the visitors nor the home team had much momentum in the four-on-four overtime.
Shots ended up 47-30 in favour of Nanaimo. Scott Salberg scored four goals for Campbell River.
GAME ON … The Bucs (23-15-3) play two more games this weekend, both on the road. Nanaimo visits the Peninsula Panthers (21-16-3) on Friday (Jan. 25) and then takes on the first-placed Victoria Cougars (37-1-2) on Sunday. Next home action for the Buccaneers is Thursday (Jan. 31) when they face the Saanich Braves (26-11-3) in a 7:15 p.m. faceoff at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
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