By Ian Holmes

Bucs crown Glacier Kings 3-2, take 2-1 series lead

Feb 27, 2017 | 9:48 PM

NANAIMO — The Buccaneers fended off the hard-charging Comox Valley Glacier Kings by a score of 3-2 to grab a 2-1 lead in first round VIJHL playoff action Monday night at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.

Nolan Richardson scored twice, while Dawson Heathcote had the other for the Bucs, who survived a late push from the Kings in a chippy, tense affair.

“All three games this series have been very similar hockey, there’s just the tiny little things are the difference between winning and losing,” said Buccaneers’ head coach Dan Lemmon.

Comox Valley had a powerplay for the final two minutes of regulation and pulled goaltender Marcus Gloss during that entire sequence, but couldn’t find a way to solve Bucs’ netminder John Hawthorne.

Nanaimo led 1-0 after the first period, and 3-1 after 40-minutes. Lemmon said a turning point in the game was Nolan Richardson’s second goal of the night with just ten seconds remaining in the second period. Glacier Kings’ captain Jake McKenzie would score on a deflection midway trough the third period to draw the visitors to within a goal.

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The Bucs then simplified things and played smart the rest of the way, according to Lemmon.

“That’s how you hold onto a lead, if you don’t have an odd-man situation get that puck in deep, make sure guys are fresh, make sure we’re getting in on that forecheck.”

Lemmon said his squad will have to be much more disciplined, noting they took a few bad penalties in the first two periods.

Nanaimo outshot the Kings 39-34. The Bucs were 2-for-5 on the powerplay, while the Glacier Kings went 1-for-6.

Bucs’ winger Trent Bell, who assisted on both of Nolan Richardson’s goals, said their powerplay came up huge.

“Our powerplay was the difference,” Bell said. “When they take penalties we have to capitalize because Gloss is a good goalie. They do a good job defensively, so when there’s an extra guy off the ice it gives our guys more time and space. We made it work tonight.”

John Hawthorne was a stalwart in goal for Nanaimo, as was the Kings’ Marcus Gloss, who made in the neighbourhood of 15 excellent saves. Gloss has been a factor throughout the series, allowing the Kings a chance to win all three games.

The Buccaneers can take a strangle hold on the best-of-seven series Tuesday night with game four set for the Comox Valley Sports Centre in Courtenay; Game time is 7:00 p.m.

Game five takes place back in the harbour city on Thursday night at 7:15 p.m. at the Pirate Ship.

ian.holmes@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @reporterholmes