The Nanaimo Buccaneers were a plucky bunch, but they didn’t have enough to win.
The Bucs lost 4-3 to the Comox Valley Glacier Kings on Thursday at the Nanaimo Ice Centre. Three times the home team tied the game, but the visitors got the game-winning goal on a partial breakaway with three minutes left in the third period.
Buccaneers assistant coach Glen Smith said early penalty problems stalled his team’s momentum.
“We got our feet under us and I think we came on stronger as the game went along,” he said. “They showed character. This team’s not going to sit down and quit and we’re proud of the way they played.”
Corey Renwick, Will McNamara and Garrett Dunlop scored goals and Riley Medves suffered the loss as his team was outshot 41-22.
Next up for the Buccaneers is a meeting against the league-leading Victoria Cougars.
"We do play Victoria well, our our games have been one-goal games," said Smith. "But they're very quick, they're very strong, they've added quite a few players. It's going to be a real challenge for us on Saturday but we look forward to it."
GAME ON … The Bucs face the Cougars on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena as part of a Hockey Day in Nanaimo doubleheader with the Nanaimo Clippers.
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