By Ian Holmes

Jallabert snipes five as sizzling Buccaneers claw Panthers 7-1

Oct 13, 2017 | 9:42 AM

NANAIMO — It was a night Nanaimo Buccaneers forward Mathieu Jallabert won’t forget for a long time.

He scored a franchise-record five goals as the Bucs manhandled the visiting Peninsula Panthers 7-1 at the Pirate Ship Thursday night.

The Bucs (10-1) are on an impressive nine game winning streak, also a franchise-high.

“Everything was going my way,” Jallabert said of his incredible five goal display. “A couple of those goals just hit my stick and went in the net.”

Jallabert has been on fire early this VIJHL season — he leads the league in scoring by a country mile (14.13.27 in 11 games). The former Oceanside General in his final year of junior eligibility said he’s never scored five goals in an organized hockey game in his life.

Making an impact

Nanaimo woman publishes books to open awareness of neurodiverse children

2h ago

iconic voice

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

9h ago

first response

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

14h ago

Jallabert, who has multi-point games in five straight outings, said while their winning streak has been discussed on occasion in the locker room, they’re trying not to dwell on it.

“We want to win it all this year, that’s our goal. It’s a long season, we know that so we just have to keep on pushing.”

Jallabert’s performance was subdued as he was given a game misconduct when tempers flared late in the game. Jallabert will serve a one game suspension.

Cam Nickerson and Noah Kelly also scored for Nanaimo.

Josh Lingard scored the lone Panthers (4-6) goal.

Nanaimo outshot the Panthers 37-24.

Bucs goaltender Derek Krall improved his record to 7-0 on the season.

Buccaneers head coach Curtis Toneff said the game lacked flow at times, but they picked up energy as the contest wore on. He said they are a deep team, which has been leaned on during their winning streak

“I think we have four lines, 13 forwards and eight D (defense) that can play, Tonnef said. “I think if you put some of our guys on a different team maybe our third line they might be on another team’s first line, it’s nice to have that depth.”

The Bucs are off until Thursday, Oct. 19 versus the visiting Comox Valley Glacier Kings at 7:15 p.m. at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @ reporterholmes