By Ian Holmes

Dominant goaltending lifts Glacier Kings over Bucs in playoff opener

Feb 23, 2017 | 10:33 PM

NANAIMO — Stellar goaltending was the difference as the Comox Valley Glacier Kings beat the Buccaneers 3-2 in overtime to draw first blood in the VIJHL North Division playoff series Thursday night at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.

A goal in the first overtime period gave Comox Valley the early edge in the best-of-seven series over Nanaimo.

“We had lots of opportunities to score,” Buccaneers’ head coach Dan Lemmon said after the game. “Their goalie was great, their team played a physical game, they’re hard-working.”

Nanaimo not only outshot Comox Valley 45-35, but had a decisive edge in quality scoring chances. Kings goaltender Marcus Gloss was a story throughout the game, making numerous highlight reel saves.

The Glacier Kings’ Jackson Gibson cracked a 1-1 tie with a powerplay goal midway through the third period. Nanaimo then dialed up the offensive pressure, which paid off when Dawson Heathcote wristed the puck past the blocker of Gloss with just 1:58 left on the clock.

Making an impact

Nanaimo woman publishes books to open awareness of neurodiverse children

5h ago

iconic voice

Legendary hockey broadcaster Bob Cole, a welcome voice for a half-century, dead at 90

12h ago

first response

New staffing model on Gabriola Island hires local paramedics for enhanced patient care

17h ago

4:26 into the first overtime, Comox Valley call-up Cody Shepheard jammed the puck past Bucs’ goalie John Hawthorne at the side of the net to quiet down a large crowd of 335 fans.

The Bucs’ Chad Bell and Comox Valley’s Brayden Durante traded goals in the first period.

Lemmon said he was pleased with how they played, with the exception of about 10 minutes of the second period. He said they’ve been resilient all season and believes a little adversity will help them in the long run.

“We’re a young team, I expected some nerves obviously coming in, there was a big crowd here,” Lemmon said. “Knowing this group, we’ll turn things around in Comox on Saturday.”

Thursday night’s win was a huge result for the Glacier Kings who snapped a six game losing skid against the Swordsmen. Nanaimo won seven of 10 regular season match-ups against Comox Valley. Nanaimo victories included blowout home ice wins over the Icemen: 7-0 (Feb. 2) and 10-3 (Dec. 1). Winning the series opener is a measure of revenge for the Kings who were swept by the Bucs in convincing fashion in the first round of the playoffs last year.

Coach Lemmon said they’ll have to make life tougher on Gloss.

“We’re going to have to have some net traffic obviously, Gloss once he sees it he pretty much stops everything.”

Game two of the series is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Comox Valley Sports Centre in Courtenay at 7:30 p.m.

The series shifts back to the the harbour city for game three on Monday, Feb. 27 at 7:00 p.m.

Ian.Holmes@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @reporterholmes