With only eight games left before the VIJHL playoffs, the Nanaimo Buccaneers are fighting for home ice advantage, sitting two points behind the Comox Valley Glacier Kings for second place in the North division standings.
Nanaimo has struggled recently, winning just two of their last 10 games. But the team has shown an ability to beat the league’s best teams, including a convincing 7-4 victory over the visiting Campbell River Storm on January 17 at the Nanaimo Ice Centre. The team’s last two victories have come against the Campbell River Storm who exacted revenge on home ice with a 9-3 victory over the Buccaneers on Friday, January 23.
The Buccaneers have a tough schedule in the season’s final eight games of the season, with one game against both Victoria and Campbell River, and two games left against Comox Valley. How the Buccaneers perform against those top teams will determine whether the team can clinch home ice advantage for their series against the Comox Valley Glacier Kings.
Nanaimo has had some success against the Glacier Kings this season with a record of 3-0-3 in six games. The two teams play twice more this season, February 7 in Comox Valley, and February 12 in Nanaimo.
The Buccaneers’ next home games are Thursday, January 29 against the Oceanside Generals, and Thursday, February 5 against the Kerry Park Islanders. Puck drop for both games is at 7:15 pm. Tickets are $8 for students.
