By Larenzo Jensen

Buccaneers week in review

Feb 13, 2019 | 3:17 PM

NANAIMO — The Buccaneers experienced a mercurial week while splitting two straight home games that went into a shoot-out, as well as a loss in Campbell River.

Bucs march past Generals

On Thursday, Jan. 31 Nanaimo edged the visiting Oceanside Generals 2-1 in a thrilling game settled in a nine round shootout.

The only scoring occurred in the first period, with Brady Kay striking first for the Generals after a slick pass from Greyson Weme. The Swordsmen tied it up with less than thirty seconds remaining in the opening period. Captain Billy Walters was the benefactor of some solid work along the boards by Dylan Devers and Dawson Heathcote. But that would be the only offence, with both the second and third periods going scoreless.

Oceanside enjoyed the territorial advantage in both the 4-on-4 overtime session, and the 3-on-3 second overtime. The Generals registered nine shots combined, while the Bucs recorded six shots on James Brendeland. The Generals goaltender was sensational for the visitors, stopping 45 of 46 shots through regulation and both overtime periods. He also stopped 7 of 9 penalty shots in the shoot-out, with Brendan Rogers snapping one by him, and A/P player Brandon Melsness finally ending the game. Melsness ripped a forehand shot over Brendeland’s trapper on the right side for his first VIJHL goal. Dawson Heathcote had a strong game and set up Billy Walter’s lone goal, and was named home first star. James Brendeland earned away first star honors in the 2-1 loss.

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Storm electrocute Bucs

On Friday, Feb 1 the Bucs travelled to Campbell River and lost 6-2 to a powerful Storm squad  Owen Hards, Zach Trempner and Owen Christensen all had strikes in the first period, staking the Storm to a 3-0 lead by the end of the first stanza. Nanaimo Buccaneers head coach and general manager Curt Toneff felt the final score didn’t paint an accurate picture of the game.

“Watching the tape I felt our first period was pretty good, and our second was really good, ” Toneff said. “Then we had some guys go out, (Jacob) Gosling, (Dylan) Devers, (Nathan) Hauser, it kind of took the life out of us. As long as we’re playing the right way, over the course in a playoff series, you’ll start to get that even out. I’d rather us lose playing the right way than win playing the wrong way.” Aaron de Kok turned aside 33 of 35 shots in the win, and was named home side first star. “Their goalie had a night,” Toneff noted.

Bucs sink Islanders 

on Thursday, Feb 7 the Bucs edged the Kerry Park Islanders 4-3 in shootout in a battle between two very evenly matched clubs, with only four points separating them in the standings. “I like the way we came out tonight,” started Toneff, it was just up to us how we finished the third period. They had momentum from that goal late in the second, and with us being short staffed, we tried to take care of business the best we could.”

The Swordsmen called up 4 A/P players, including Nolan Kehoe, Josh McKenzie, Parker Klippenstein, and Hunter Macdonald. All looked good in their debuts, particularly the latter and Mckenzie. Macdonald worked hard cycling a puck down low before setting up the first of Lucas Patton’s two goal performance.

The Bucs had a 3-1 lead entering the third period, and Austin Dendl made some key saves to preserve the lead. But during a 24 second blitz, league leading scorer Evan Easton scored two goals and sent the game to overtime. For the second straight week, both overtimes settled nothing, so it went to a p shootout. This week, however, Isaac Leik would score in the second round, putting captain Billy Walters in a must-score situation in the third round. Walters made a nice deke on Isles’ goaltender Rett Rook, but couldn’t slide it under his left pad. Evan Easton was named the away first star, while Lucas Patton received the home first star.

— Larenzo Jensen is the play-by-play voice of the Nanaimo Buccaneers