The Buccaneers were able to beat the league’s top team.
Nanaimo defeated the Campbell River Storm by a 2-1 score in Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League action on Thursday at the Nanaimo Ice Centre. It was the Storm’s first loss after that team had started the season with four straight wins.
“We’re four games in now, it’s not going to be perfect, but effort-wise and team-wise, it was the closest thing to a full 60,” said Curtis Toneff, Buccaneers coach. “And it just goes to show we can beat a team like that if we do that.”
The Bucs had suffered a blowout loss to the Storm six days earlier up Island, but Toneff said this time Nanaimo simplified the game plan and was also able to play the grinding style it wanted to play.
“We were ready to play,” said Derek Krall, Bucs goalie. “We played a pretty good team game. Everyone bought in … it was a good win for us.”
Luc Wilson and Noah Kelly scored for the Buccaneers in the second period and that was enough as the home squad was able to protect its margin in the third. Krall made 34 saves as shots ended up 35-23.
“We were just trying to keep it simple, get pucks out, get it off the glass and out, cover everything, get in lanes, anything we could do to shut them down,” Krall said.
Brett Kinley scored for the Storm.
The night before, the Buccaneers edged the Westshore Wolves 3-2 in overtime. Mathieu Jallabert had two goals including the game-winner and Jayden Schubert also tallied. Blake Wood was the winning goalie in that one as the Wolves outshot the Bucs 43-26.
GAME ON … Nanaimo has the weekend off; next action will be Thursday (Sept. 21) when the Bucs host the Comox Valley Glacier Kings in a 7:15 p.m. faceoff at the NIC.