Buccaneers week in review
NANAIMO – It may not have been the Swordsmen’s busiest week, but it may just prove to be one of the most important in the 2018/2019 season.
The Junior B hockey club kicked off November hosting the hottest team in the VIJHL, the Victoria Cougars. The Cougars entered the Thursday, Nov 1 affair having won eight straight games, boasting one of the best offences in the League.
Former Nanaimo Buccaneers Mateo Albinati and Booker Chacalias currently sit one-two in VIJHL scoring. Cougars goaltenders had been dominant through the eight-game winning stretch, rookie Owen Sikkes is second in VIJHL goals against average, and save percentage.
The first 30 seconds of the game saw the Cougars throw a wave of pressure on Buccaneers rookie goaltender, Austin Dendl. He was forced to make four big saves in that span, as Victoria literally set the pace attacking early and often. Dendl made a crucial left pad stop before covering the puck and allowing the Buccaneers to catch their breath.