It was closer than it needed to be, but the Nanaimo Buccaneers bested the Kerry Park Islanders to remain unbeaten this season.
The Bucs beat the Isles 3-2 on Thursday in Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League action at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.
“It wasn’t what we wanted in certain aspects, but we got the win,” said Curtis Toneff, Buccaneers coach. “A lot of different line combinations out there with guys maybe not quite used to each other when it came down to going to the net and actually putting the puck in the net.”
Nanaimo was 1-for-11 on the power play and outshot Kerry Park 37-23. Toneff said playing with the man advantage, the team needed to shoot low with bodies in front of the net and try for rebounds.
“We need to score more greasy goals, I think,” he said.
Owen Dalman, who had a goal and an assist, credited the opponents with playing a grinding game as the Buccaneers were trying to get all on the same page.
“It was kind of like our first game with our whole team back together,” he said. “I though we held pretty good most of the game.”
Joshua Zary and Tyson McLean scored Nanaimo’s other goals and Blake Wood made 21 saves for the win.
GAME ON … The Buccaneers visit the Comox Valley Glacier Kings on Saturday, Sept. 15. Next home action for the Bucs is Thursday, Sept. 20, also against the Glacier Kings, at 7:15 p.m. at the NIC.
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