Who: Bucs and Panthers
What: Clash of The Undefeated
Where: NIC Nanaimo
When: 7:15 Puckdrop Thurs
Why: Elite, Affordable Fun!!
Upcoming Thursday Battle
The 4-0 Nanaimo Buccaneers are set to take on the 5-0 Peninsula Panthers in a highly anticipated matchup between two undefeated teams. As the Buccaneers look to navigate more winning ways, they’ll be relying on the leadership of their coaching staff to fine-tune the game plan. Particularly, against an elite Peninsula program.
Nanaimo’s Homegrown Hockey Staff
Coach Tyler Gow, a Nanaimo native with deep ties to the local hockey community, brings a wealth of experience to the role. After playing NCAA hockey with the St. Norbert Green Knights, Gow coached at the junior level with the Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL) before joining the Buccaneers’ coaching staff. His appointment as Head Coach for the 2025-26 season is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the team.
Gow’s experience working under veteran coach Bill Bestwick (during the 2024-2025 season) helped lead to a dramatic team transformation rooted in accountability and effort. With Bestwick’s front office guidance and Gow’s leadership, the Buccaneers are poised to make a strong run in this current season.
Brett Bestwick works alongside Gow on the coaching staff, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team. Brett’s own hockey career is impressive, having had an outstanding 20-year-old season with the Nanaimo Clippers before moving on to play for Geneseo in the NCAA.
Both St. Norbert and Geneseo are perennial contenders for national championships, and it’s clear that Bestwick and Gow’s experience with BCHL and NCAA hockey has had a profound impact on the Buccaneers.
Ownership with a Vision
Owner Nicole Brandenburg has been instrumental in shaping the team’s culture by making elite hires. “I’m so proud of my coaches, of Bill and the entire staff,” Brandenburg said. “They do such a great job and I feel honoured to have them. Their job is a most important one. Last year (team improving significantly) was great, but this one will be outstanding!”
GM’s Note:
Bill Bestwick, the team’s GM, responded to the praise by saying, “Nicole is an absolutely fantastic owner. It’s great to work with her.”
GM’s Game Note:
Bestwick tipped his cap to the Peninsula Panthers’ organization, both as reigning champions and for their ability to reload this season, calling them “if not the best, then certainly one of the best teams in the province. And that’s factoring in everyone”.
Statistical Standouts
Peninsula Panthers Goaltending:
Matus Volovar (’07, G) – 4 GP, 4-0-0, 0.919 SV%, 1.50 GAA, 1 SO
Caden Lentz (’07, G) – 1 GP, 1-0-0, 0.750 SV%, 3.00 GAA
Nanaimo Buccaneers Goaltending:
Aaron Pichette (’05, G) – 2 GP, 2-0-0, 0.939 SV%, 1.50 GAA
Adam Ranger (’07, G) – 2 GP, 2-0-0, 0.919 SV%, 2.38 GAA
Peninsula Panthers
Top Scorers:
Oskar Aitken-Salmons (F) – 8 goals, 3 assists, 11 points
Alex Sajan (F) – 3 goals, 8 assists, 11 points
Top D Scorers:
Joe Marranzino (D) – 1 goal, 6 assists, 7 points
Clayton Collier (D) – 1 goal, 3 assists, 4 points
Goaltending:
Matus Volovar (’07, G) – 4 GP, 4-0-0, 0.919 SV%, 1.50 GAA, 1 SO
Nanaimo Buccaneers
Top Scorers:
Madden Cruickshank (F) – 2 goals, 5 assists, 7 points
Jaxin Karst (F) – 3 goals, 1 assist, 4 points
Top D Scorers:
Ethan Nordli (D) – 1 goal, 3 assists, 4 points
Dreyton Hayward (D) – 1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points
Goaltending:
Aaron Pichette (’05, G) – 2 GP, 2-0-0, 0.939 SV%, 1.50 GAA
Adam Ranger (’07, G) – 2 GP, 2-0-0, 0.919 SV%, 2.38 GAA
More About Peninsula Panthers
The Peninsula Panthers are owned by the Murphy family, who also own the BCHL’s Trail Smoke Eaters. Rich and Annie Murphy, along with their children Madelyn Murphy-Homer and Ryan Murphy, bring a wealth of experience and passion to the team.
The Murphys took majority ownership of the perennial VIJHL powerhouse on April 1, 2024 and named former Head Coach Tyler Stanton as the Director of Hockey Operations/General Manager (GM). Stanton is continuing in his role as the Panthers’ GM while also stepping into the Director position, granting him the responsibility of overseeing the Panthers’ entire hockey operations. Grayson Vickers, a former Assistant Coach, has been promoted to Head Coach for the 2025-26 season.
“Having this separation in the role (Head Coach vs. GM) allows for further focus on and off the ice, to promote, expose and further progress our players to both the next junior levels and Collegiate levels” said Stanton, in the off-season, to VIJHL.com.
Anticipating The Matchup
The Nanaimo Buccaneers and Peninsula Panthers have both shown impressive form this season, with both teams riding undefeated streaks. This matchup looks to be an exciting clash of styles, with both teams looking to come out on top of the VIJHL power rankings – at least for the moment.
Get Ready for the Action!
Don’t miss this thrilling matchup between the Nanaimo Buccaneers and Peninsula Panthers Thursday at 7:15 at the NIC! With both teams looking to extend their undefeated streaks, the intensity is sure to be high. Get your tickets and be part of the action!
Stay Connected with the Buccaneers!
Stay up-to-date with the latest news, updates, and behind-the-scenes action by following the Nanaimo Buccaneers on social media:
– X: @BuccaneersVIJHL
– Instagram: @BuccaneersVIJHL
– Facebook: Nanaimo Buccaneers Junior A Hockey Club
50-50 Tickets: Win Big and Support the Community!
Don’t forget to purchase your 50-50 tickets at the game! Not only could you win a fantastic prize, but your purchase also supports the community and the club. Your support helps us continue to provide top-notch hockey to the Nanaimo area. See you at the game!
Player Features
Check Out Our Player Features!
Our first player feature is now live, highlighting the story of Jaxin Karst: https://nanaimobuccaneers.ca/spotlight-on-jaxin-karst-rising-star-of-the-nanaimo-buccaneers/
