The Buccaneers started 2016 playing high-level hockey, but weren’t able to win.
The Bucs were edged 3-2 by the Victoria Cougars on Sunday night at the Nanaimo Ice Centre as the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League’s regular season resumed.
Dan Lemmon, coach of the Buccaneers, said the game, despite the loss, was “one of our best efforts” of the season against a first-place opponent.
“They’re built to win this year and I think we proved that we’re right with them,” he said.
The Cougs have won 18 straight, many of those by blowout, shutout scores, and they brought their fast pace into the new year.
“They caught us by surprise in the first period; they were flying out there, and it kind of made us up our work ethic, which I thought we did a great job of,” Lemmon said.
The Bucs tied the game at 2-2 early in the second period on two quick goals from Trent Bell. Nanaimo thought it scored a go-ahead marker late in the frame, but the goal was waved off as off-side. On the very next shift, Victoria scored on a play that was called goaltender interference, yet the goal was allowed to stand.
The Bucs were outplayed in the third until they pulled their goalie late and generated a handful of chances with the extra attacker.
“I think everyone on our team competed; nobody gave up; we stuck together,” Lemmon said.
Final shots were 32-27 for the visitors, with Alex Orth suffering the loss and former Bucs goalie Greg Maggio earning the win.
Lemmon said hard-fought hockey is going to become the norm for the stretch run.
“Every team’s obviously stepping up and gearing toward playoffs…” he said. “The games are only going to get tougher from here on out.”
He thinks the Bucs will be right in the mix as they’re establishing a hard-working, two-way, physical brand of hockey.
“Learning is always happening, but I think the significant spike in learning happens before Christmas, and now you’re trying to polish what you’ve built,” he said.
Team eyeing deadline
The Nanaimo Buccaneers are positioned for a playoff berth, and so they want to make sure their roster is playoff-ready.
The Bucs anticipate movement by the Jan. 10 trade deadline. Dan Lemmon, the team’s general manager, has two roster cards and intends to use them.
“We’ve got a couple things on the go; we’re just kind of waiting to hear,” he said.
He’s happy with Nanaimo’s goaltending but will look into acquiring the “best available” forwards and defencemen.
GAME ON … The Buccaneers host the Comox Valley Glacier Kings on Thursday (Jan. 7) at 7:15 p.m. at the NIC, then visit the Oceanside Generals on Saturday.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com