By Ian Holmes

Buccaneers stun Storm in 3-2 victory

Dec 7, 2017 | 10:08 PM

NANAIMO — A third period surge lifted the Buccaneers (21-6-0-1) over the Campbell River Storm Thursday night at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.

Billy Walters scored the eventual game-winning goal on a breakaway at the 8:19 mark of the third period to help the Bucs climb within one point of the Storm (21-5-2-0) for the VIJHL’s North Division lead.

Bucs head coach Curtis Toneff said it was a complete team effort, with several players stepping up.

“Guys like Clayton Peace, Billy Walters I thought got his mojo back a little bit and Derek Krall was the Derek Krall we saw for the first two-and-a-half months.”

Peace and Cam Nickerson also scored third period goals for Nanaimo.

time served

Nanaimo man caught with over 30g of illicit drugs avoids additional jail time

9h ago

big return

Senior women's box lacrosse returns to Nanaimo after 10+ year absence

10h ago

environmental impacts

Accidental pump activation causes minor oil slick in Nanaimo marina

11h ago

Campbell River’s goals came from Darren Hards and newly signed 20-year-old defenceman Mitch Stapley, who got the Storm within a goal late in the contest.

It was a big result for the Bucs, who fell 6-4 to the visiting Victoria Cougars Saturday night.

The Bucs win snapped an impressive 14 game unbeaten streak (13-0-1) for Campbell River. A powerplay goal by Peace in the third period was the first goal surrendered by Campbell River in an astonishing 177:15. Storm Netminder Liam Murphy was gunning for a third straight shutout.

Toneff added it was a performance that reminded him how deep their team is.

“We have four-and-a-half lines and seven D that we trust on the ice and two goaltenders that we trust and we’re all healthy.”

Krall was spectacular for the hosts, making 38 saves to earn first star honours. He made several big stops late in the game, including an acrobatic glove save during a goal-mouth scramble in the games dying seconds.

“The first two periods we gave a good effort but bounces weren’t really going our way but we knew we really had to bare down in the third and that’s what we did,” Krall said.

The Buccaneers are looking to gain some momentum after a rough stretch since the start of November. Nanaimo has gone 7-5-1 in their last 13 games, following a scorching 14-1 start.

Nanaimo and Campbell River have split six regular season match-ups and four more regular season head-to-head encounters are scheduled. The North Division heavyweights hook up again on Dec. 15 in Campbell River.

Up next for the Bucs is a road game versus the Kerry Park Islanders Saturday night in Mill Bay, followed by a visit from the Westshore Wolves Thursday, Dec. 15 at 7:15 p.m.

-with files from Kyle Ireland

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes