The Nanaimo Buccaneers put together another strong offensive effort Saturday night in Victoria but came up just short, falling 7–5 to the Cougars in a hard-fought matchup.
It was an energetic, fast-paced contest that saw both teams trade momentum throughout the night. The Buccaneers continued to display balanced scoring, with five different players hitting the scoresheet — marking the second straight game that Nanaimo has recorded five goals.
Despite their consistent pressure and offensive rhythm, the Bucs were hampered by penalty trouble. Nanaimo was forced to kill off 11 minor penalties, giving Victoria numerous opportunities on the power play. The Cougars capitalized, scoring three power-play goals and later adding an empty-net marker while still on the man advantage.
The Buccaneers showed plenty of resilience, erasing deficits and pushing back each time the Cougars gained ground. Midway through the third period, Nanaimo grabbed its first lead of the game, igniting the bench and setting up what looked like a promising finish. But back-to-back power plays for Victoria swung the momentum late, and the Cougars took full advantage to regain control and close out the win.
With the loss, the Buccaneers’ record now sits at 5 wins and 3 losses, keeping them within striking distance near the top of the VIJHL standings.
Next up, the Bucs hit the road to face the Campbell River Storm on Thursday, October 10, before returning home for a Thanksgiving Matinee on Monday, October 13, versus the Oceanside Generals. Puck drops at 12:30 PM at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.
