The Nanaimo Buccaneers busted out of a slump in a big way with a barnburner victory.
After going winless over their seven games during November, the city’s Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League team is off to a 2-0 start to December. The Bucs beat up on the Kerry Park Islanders 9-5 on Thursday at the Nanaimo Ice Centre, then handled the Oceanside Generals two nights later in Parksville, 6-2.
Thursday’s contest didn’t start off as a blowout, as the teams were tied 5-5 late in the second period and the Islanders chased the Bucs’ starting goalie.
Jordan Levesque led Nanaimo with two goals and two assists and Nolan Richardson also scored a pair. Trent Bell, Will McNamara and Chandler Bruyckere all had a goal and two helpers and Jake Calverley and Nick Gomerich were the Buccaneers’ other goal scorers. Goaltender Liam Young stopped all 18 shots he faced to earn the ‘W’ in relief.
Against the Gens, McNamara led the Bucs with two goals and Calverley had a goal and two assists. Will Koop, Bruyckere and Chad Bell also scored for Nanaimo and Aled Orth was the winning goalie as his team outshot the opposition 52-31.
GAME ON … The Bucs host their expansion cousins the Westshore Wolves on Thursday (Dec. 10) at 7:15 p.m. at the NIC, then visit the Comox Valley Glacier Kings two nights later up Island. The second-place Bucs and third-place Yetis are separated by four points in the VIJHL’s North Division standings.