The Kerry Park Islanders and Nanaimo Buccaneers combined for an eight-goal explosion in the third period of last Saturday's game at Kerry Park Arena. Unfortunately, when the dust settled, the Isles ended up on the wrong side of a 6-5 final score.
The Isles led 2-1 going into the third frame after Nick Kean and Zack Smith sandwiched goals around a Nanaimo marker in the first period and the teams were scoreless in the second.
The Bucs pulled ahead early in the third with back-to-back goals, but the Isles scored three in a row - two by captain David Bittner and one by Smith on the powerplay - to regain the lead.
Nanaimo scored three unanswered goals in the last seven and a half minutes to go back in front by one and hang on for the victory.
In addition to the two-goal performances by Bittner and Smith, Kean had a goal and an assist, and Ryan Paisley, Braedan Cross and Taylor Armbruster each had two assists. Ty Rennie got the start in goal and made 32 saves on 38 shots. The Isles fired 44 shots at the Nanaimo net.
The Isles will play their next four games at home, beginning this Saturday when they host the Westshore Wolves at 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, they will host the Comox Valley Glacier Kings at 3 p.m.