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Buccaneers add to home-ice advantage

The city’s junior B hockey club officially opened its new locker room last month at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.
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Nanaimo Buccaneers players Riel Gibson

The Nanaimo Buccaneers have a place to build team spirit as they look to string some wins together.

The city’s junior B hockey club officially opened its new locker room last month at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.

“We’ve been waiting for it since September, so getting in there … it’s exciting,” said Noah Russi, Bucs captain. “It’s a great facility. Everyone’s really happy.”

The team held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 29, at which team owners Brenda and Phil Levesque thanked R.W. (Bob) Wall Ltd. and other community sponsors.

“It was one of my dreams and it came sooner than I expected,” said Phil Levesque. “Look at this, it’s huge and it’s beautiful. We’re so lucky.”

The locker room has laundry facilities and allows the team to care for and store its gear at the rink, so the Bucs can really settle in. The room is about more than just functionality, too.

“A lot of these kids have never been in this type of a dressing room,” said Levesque. “So for pride, it’s awesome. The Buccaneers, we’re going to fly now.”

ICE CHIPS … The Bucs beat the Oceanside Generals 5-0 on Saturday in Parksville after losing 8-1 to the Victoria Cougars on Thursday down the Malahat. Garrett Dunlop scored in each game and Lee Orpen, Jordan Levesque, Chad Bell and Russi were the other scorers. The Bucs host the Gens this Thursday (Dec. 12) at 7:15 p.m. at the NIC.

sports@nanaimobulletin.com