By Ian Holmes

Buccaneers win 2-0, first round series with Glacier Kings tied 1-1

Feb 25, 2017 | 11:43 PM

COURTENAY — A gutsy 2-0 win on the road for the Nanaimo Buccaneers over the Glacier Kings on Saturday night has the VIJHL North Division best-of-seven semi-final series tied at one game apiece.

Mateo Albinati scored in the second period, while Trent Bell slipped home an empty-netter with 27 seconds left to seal the win for the visitors, in front of a large crowd at the Comox Valley Sports Centre.

Bucs’ goaltender John Hawthorne was steady, making 27 saves for the shutout.

Head coach Dan Lemmon said they had a sluggish first period, but turned things around by outworking the Glacier Kings in the second and third frames.

“It’s a big win for us, we get our home ice advantage back, which isn’t an easy thing to do,” Lemmon told NanaimoNewsNOW post-game outside of the Buccaneers’ dressing room. “For the lack of a better term this was kind of a must win for our team, to see the response from us was excellent.”

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Nanaimo got on the board 8:17 into the second period, when Albinati neatly redirected home a Cale Cripps point shot. The puck slid just beyond the the right pad of Glacier Kings’ goaltender Marcus Gloss, who couldn’t react to the deflection in time.

Gloss was strong again in game two, stopping 34 Buccaneers’ shots.

Lemmon singled out the line of Nolan Richardson, Cole Broadhurst and Jayden Schubert, who were dominant throughout the game.

“Schubert and Broadhurst are real physical guys, Richardson’s not afraid to throw hits either and Richie’s so smart in the middle of the ice, Schubert’s got all that speed, and Broadhurt, he’s just a horse.”

The Bucs defence played a strong game, keeping the Glacier Kings offensive threats to the outside for most of the evening. Defenceman Dylan Hartl had another trademark steady and calming performance. He said they did a good job of playing a smart and proactive game.

“Staying physical and getting pucks on net,” Hartl said when asked what the keys to the win were. “We know that Marcus Gloss is good, so we have to get heavy traffic there too.”

Hartl said he and defence partner Seamus O’Toole are in a good grove right now on the back-end.

Coach Lemmon said hopefully they can cash in on more chances. He said they are generating enough high-end looks, but could use more goals.

“I’d like to see a bit better finish,” Lemmon said. “Gloss is making some big saves, but we need to do a better job of being ready for a puck coming on our stick to the slot.”

The series shifts back to the harbour city for game three on Monday night (Feb. 27) at 7:00 p.m at the Nanaimo Ice Centre. Game four will be back in Courtenay on Tuesday night. Comox Valley recorded a 3-2 double-overtime victory in the series opener Thursday evening in Nanaimo.  

ian.holmes@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @reporterholmes