By Ian Holmes

Buccaneers destroy Glacier Kings 7-1, advance to VIJHL North Final

Mar 2, 2017 | 10:12 PM

NANAIMO — The Buccaneers throttled the Comox Valley Glacier Kings 7-1 at the Nanaimo Ice Centre on Thursday night to win the VIJHL North Division semi final best-of-seven series in five games.

Jayden Schubert and Chad Bell scored twice, while Brady Chin, Trent Bell and Mateo Albinati also rippled the twine for the Bucs in front of a large crowd of 330 fans at the Pirate Ship.

Comox Valley was forced to play without star goaltender Marcus Gloss, who didn’t suit up due to injury. The Bucs took full advantage of backup goalie Zak Myrowich, who surrendered seven goals on 40 shots.

Nanaimo head coach Dan Lemmon felt their depth shone through as the series wore on.

“If you look at the last few games at how well the Carr, Watson, Albinati line has been for us over the last two games especially, that was kind of the difference-maker in my opinion,” Lemmon told reporters after the game.

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The Bucs went 3-for-8 on the powerplay. Nanaimo built up a 4-0 lead before the game was ten minutes old.

All of Nanaimo’s forward lines contributed throughout the series, particularly the Richardson, Schubert, Broadhurst trio, who combined for nine goals and 17 points. Nanaimo’s defence and goaltending were also air-tight — the Bucs allowed just six goals during the entire series.

Cedric LeSier got the goaltending assignment for the series clinching win and turned aside 19 of the 20 shots he faced.

Up next for the Bucs in round two of the VIJHL playoffs is their top nemesis, the Campbell River Storm. Nanaimo managed a 5-5 regular season record against the powerhouse organization. The Storm dominated the Bucs in a four-game series sweep in last year’s North Division final.

Game one of this year’s battle is slated for Tuesday night (March 7) on the north island.

“Campbell River’s not an easy place to play,” Lemmon said. “It’s a loud rink…you get the nerves going when you’re in there for Oh Canada, the lights are off and they do their whole spiel…we’re going to have to be ready.”

Game two of the Buccaneers-Storm series happens at the Nanaimo Ice Centre on Thursday, March 9 at 7:15 p.m.

ian.holmes@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @reporterholmes