By Ian Holmes

Buccaneers march toward playoffs with 4-3 overtime win versus Generals

Feb 15, 2018 | 10:49 PM

NANAIMO — The Buccaneers (36-9-0-2) and Generals (18-22-1-6) just might get sick of each other over the next couple weeks.

The Bucs downed visiting Oceanside 4-3 in overtime Thursday night at the Nanaimo Ice Centre. The two teams will likely play each other in the first round of the VIJHL playoffs, which start next week.

Dylan Hartl scored the game-winning goal at the 4:36 mark of the first overtime session, marking the eighth win in nine outings for the Bucs versus Oceanside this season.

Nanaimo assistant coach Nolan Richardson liked what he saw from his club.

“I thought we were good the whole game, a couple little breakdowns and they scored two on us quick. We were getting the puck deep in their zone and pounding their defence.”

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Noah Kelly, Brandon Armstrong and Luc Wilson scored the other Nanaimo goals, while Logan Archer, Ryan Ignace and Will Norman responded for Oceanside, in what was a physical game with consistent flow.

It was a rocky start for the Bucs at the Pirate Ship, as the hosts fell behind 2-0 a little over six minutes into the game. Nanaimo evened up the score on first period goals by Wilson and Kelly. Armstrong gave Nanaimo the lead in the second period, but former Buc Will Norman found the back of the net midway through the third period to set the stage for overtime.

Bucs goaltender Blake Wood made a sensational save off Oceanside’s Landon Dziadyk during extra time, setting the stage for the Hartl game-winner.

Jacob Sweet turned aside 38 shots in what was a rock-solid performance in goal for the visitors.

The two teams will conclude the regular season on Saturday night in Parksville. The Bucs and Generals will almost certainly meet in first round, best-of-seven playoff action starting next Tuesday night at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.

That match-up will be secured if first place Campbell River collects at least a point against the last place Glacier Kings Friday night at Rod Brind’Amour arena.

Richardson said they’ve had many competitive, hotly contested games with the Generals this season.

“It’s kind of a hidden rivalry in the league…we are pretty close to each other geographically…we always just go at it somehow, but we like to get the better of them.”

Three of Nanaimo’s wins against Oceanside this season have come in overtime.

Prior to the game Bucs head coach Curtis Toneff was awarded the co-winner of the VIJHL coach-of-the-year. Nanaimo’s Derek Krall was named the league’s top goaltender, while Kyle Ireland was awarded broadcaster-of-the-year. Ireland splits his broadcasting duties between the Buccaneers and Generals.

ian@NanaimoNewsNow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes