The Nanaimo Buccaneers put an end to a brief losing skid, but weren’t able to come away with a win.
The Bucs tied the Campbell River Storm 4-4 on Thursday at the Nanaimo Ice Centre after two overtime frames couldn’t determine a victor.
“From the fans’ perspective I guess they got their money’s worth tonight,” said Brad Knight, coach of the Buccaneers. “I’m just [upset].”
Nanaimo went into the third period up 3-1, but the visitors tallied early in the third and then scored on a five-on-three power play to tie it up. The teams traded goals, setting up overtime. Both sides had chances in four-on-four and three-on-three OT, but the puck stayed out.
“We had a couple opportunities,” said Knight. “It’s kind of one of those things where you’re scared, you don’t want to lose, so you try not to [lose]. You’re waiting for a team to blow a tire or make some severe mistake on a three-on-three. It’s really dicey.”
Jordan Levesque led his team with a goal and two assists and Lynden Eddy, Garrett Dunlop and Dayton Boutilier were Nanaimo’s other scorers. Ryan Waldhaus made 30 saves.
The Bucs have road games tonight (Nov. 22) against the Peninsula Panthers and Saturday against the Comox Valley Glacier Kings and are trying to re-establish their winning ways.
“It’s a long, uphill battle now,” the coach said. “It just seems like we can’t catch a break. So we’ve just got to keep working hard.”
GAME ON … Next home action for the Buccaneers is Thursday (Nov. 28) when the Westshore Wolves visit the NIC for a 7:15 p.m. game.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
