It wasn’t so much a goodwill game as gloves-off hockey.
The Nanaimo Buccaneers shut out the Mission City Outlaws 8-0 on Sunday to close out the pre-season.
It was the first exhibition win in four tries for the Bucs, who start the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League regular season later this week.
The Outlaws were touring the Island and even though they were an unfamiliar opponent, the contest became heated with numerous fights and misconducts.
“We responded well,” said Jordan Levesque, Bucs captain. “We stuck up for ourselves, which is good, and I think we kind of formed a family in there because sticking up for one another brings a team together.”
Coach Dan Lemmon said his team played a simple game from start to finish.
“In playing that simple game, we kept the puck out of our zone and when we’re not playing in our zone, that’s when we’re successful,” he said.
Goalie Alex Orth made 25 saves for the shutout.
“My defencemen were really clearing the areas where I needed to see, and the forwards were blocking lots of shots,” said Orth. “So I couldn’t have done it without them. Overall it was a good team game.”
Billy Walters scored two goals and Levesque, Zach Funk, Trent Bell, Nick Gomerich, Owen Dalman and Jayden Schubert were the other scorers.
GAME ON … The season starts Friday (Sept. 4) when the Bucs visit the Campbell River Storm, and continues the next night with another road game against the Comox Valley Glacier Kings.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
