By Ian Holmes

Bucs finding their stride, knock off talented Braves 3-1

Oct 14, 2016 | 9:14 AM

NANAIMO — A statement victory for the Nanaimo Buccaneers (5-7) who knocked off the South Division leading Saanich Braves (8-5) 3-1 in a fast paced, entertaining VIJHL regular season contest at the Nanaimo Ice Centre on Thursday night.

The evenly played, high tempo affair with few whistles and penalties was scoreless until Chad Bell crashed the Braves crease to break a scoreless tie with five minutes remaining in regulation. Fellow 20-year-old veteran forward Nolan Richardson would then create his own turnover and bury a shorthanded breakaway goal to build up a 2-0 lead. Saanich’s Gavin Yee managed a powerplay tally which was quickly followed by Chad Bell’s empty netter to secure the win. The shorthanded goal by Richardson was Nanaimo’s 4th goal with a man down this season – good for first place in the VIJHL in that department.

“We line-matched well against them. Our third and fourth line matched up well against theirs and our top line matched up well against theirs,” said Bucs head coach and general manager Dan Lemmon.

Coach Lemmon called the effort his club’s most complete of the season. The Buccaneers held the league’s top scorer Nick Guerra pointless. He torched the Bucs for four goals in a convincing 6-3 win in Saanich last month.

Nanaimo has a 5-0 record when scoring first and are 0-7 when playing from behind. Chad Bell has notched eight goals in 12 games this season. The Port McNeill product scored nine times in 48 outings last season.

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A key reason for the Bucs improved play lately has been the emergence of 18-year-old rookie goaltender John Hawthorne. The Chemainus product won his second consecutive start and has allowed two or fewer goals in three of his last four starts.

“He’s a young guy who’s building confidence. He’s AP’d (affiliate player) wth the Port Alberni Bulldogs (BCHL) right now. He was out with them for a practice earlier in the week and you can see that confidence in the last few games he’s played for us.”

With the win over Saanich, the Bucs snap a four game home ice losing streak. Naniamo will look for its first three game winning streak of the season Saturday night in Courtenay versus the Glacier Kings.

– with files from Kyle Ireland –