The first couple of months of the season were smooth sailing for the Nanaimo Buccaneers, but now they’re hitting some rough waters.
The Bucs lost both their games last week and have now dropped three straight in Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League action.
Nanaimo was doubled up 4-2 by the Comox Valley Glacier Kings on Thursday at the Nanaimo Ice Centre, then lost another 4-2 game the next night down the Malahat against the Peninsula Panthers.
Brad Knight, Bucs coach, said Thursday’s loss was frustrating because his team just couldn’t seem to catch a break.
“I thought the kids competed hard; I thought we played hard,” he said. “I’m not disappointed with the way we played.”
Dan Foglietta and Jordan Levesque scored second-period goals and the game was 2-2 going into the third, but the visitors scored 30 seconds into the final frame and held off the home team. Ryan Waldhaus made 22 saves in his first loss of the season.
The next night it was Lynden Eddy and Garrett Dunlop scoring for Nanaimo. Waldhaus made 24 saves in defeat.
Knight said his team needs to keep its game simple to get back on track.
“We’re going to have to learn that mistakes are going to cost you,” he said. “Teams are getting better. The same opportunities you were giving up in September, you can’t be giving them up in the middle of November. If you’re going to give up partial breakaways all night, at some point in time they’re going to go in.”
GAME ON … The Buccaneers (17-6) take on the Campbell River Storm on Thursday (Nov. 21) at 7:15 p.m. at the NIC.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com