By Ian Holmes

Nanaimo Buccaneers dethrone Glacier Kings

Sep 21, 2017 | 10:54 PM

NANAIMO — It was a game that lacked flow and structure but the Buccaneers piled up a dozen goals in a 12-5 win over the Comox Valley Glacier Kings at the Nanaimo Ice Centre Thursday night.

Nanaimo (4-1) led 5-4 and 9-4 over the Glacier Kings (1-4-0-1) at the intermission breaks. The game featured a wild segment midway through the first period where a staggering four goals were scored in 42 seconds.

“Lots of momentum swings and lots of highs and lows and as a coach that’s what you don’t particularly want to see,” Bucs assistant coach Cam McCarrick told NanaimoNewsNOW after the game.

Luc Wilson scored three times and added an assist, while Mathieu Jallibert had a goal and three assists to lead a potent Buccaneers offense. Special teams were a key factor as the Bucs went 4-for-9 with the man advantage.

Derek Krall picked up the victory in net. He stopped 31 of 32 shots after relieving starter Blake Wood who played the first period.

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The offensive outburst was stark change for Nanaimo, who only had nine goals in its first four games of the season — they had nine in two periods Thursday night.

McCarrick called the offensive explosion a positive development for a team that has several capable scorers.

“We’ve had a lot of low-scoring games in the first four….we do have a lot of offensive talent up front and this game proves that.”

McCarrick said of concern was their defensive zone coverage was lacking at times, which allowed the Glacier Kings to climb to within one goal after the opening period.

“We definitely need to be better in our d-zone, there are some things we need to clean up,”

The game was chippy at times as the North Division rivals combined for 82 penalty minutes.

The Bucs travel to Mill Bay Saturday night (Sept. 23) to face the Kerry Park Islanders.

Nanaimo welcomes the Saanich Braves to the Pirate Ship Thursday, Sept. 28 for a 7:15 faceoff.

ian@NanaimoNewsNOW.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes