By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Buccaneers slice Braves, open VIJHL semifinal with 5-2 win

Mar 6, 2018 | 5:44 AM

NANAIMO — The Buccaneers drew first blood in the VIJHL semifinal, downing the Saanich Braves 5-2 at the Pirate Ship.

Mathieu Jallabert led the way, piling up 3 goals and an assist for the hosts, who grabbed a 1-0 lead in the best-of-7 battle. Jallabert told Bucs play-by-play voice Kyle Ireland after the game it was a total team effort.

“I think we played a really solid team game,” Jallabert said. “We came out flying in the first (period) as we knew Saanich would be ready to go, they’re a tough team to play. I’m really proud of how this bunch played today.”

Nanaimo had a quick start, building up a 3-0 lead after the first period. Jallabert netted two goals in the opening frame, while Coleman Doney scored the other. Jayden Schubert, who missed Nanaimo’s first round sweep over Oceanside with an injury, scored the other Bucs goal. Billy Walters chipped with with 2 assists for the Swordsmen. Saanich’s Hayden Visscher scored in the second period, while Dylan McCabe had the other marker for the visitors in the third period.

Derek Krall made 38 saves for Nanaimo. Krall had started the first two games of the BCHL first round playoff series for the Powell River Kings, who are playing the Nanaimo Clippers.

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Riley Matheson recorded 25 stops for Saanich.

Both teams potted a power-play goal.

The Braves had Nanaimo’s number during the regular season, winning 3 of 4 meetings.

Game 3 happens Wednesday night at the Nanaimo Ice Centre at 7:15 p.m.

The other VIJHL semifinal has the Campbell River Storm taking on the Westshore Wolves in a series getting started Tuesday night.

—with files from Kyle Ireland

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