Tag Archives: Curtis Toneff

Glacier Kings Drop Opener

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The Nanaimo Buccaneers got their 2025/26 season off to a good start as they downed the Comox Valley Glacier Kings 4-2 on Saturday. The game was scoreless over halfway through the second period when Madden Cruickshank opened the the scoring for Nanaimo on the power play. It started with Jack Barrett feeding Ethan Nordli on a cross-ice pass at the blue line. Nordli quickly gave it to Cruickshank at the face dot who ripped a wrist shot up high, short side to make it 1-0. The Glacier Kings would counter just 2:48 later when Joel Schmidt sent a rink wide pass through the neutral zone to Cohen Kallin who carried the puck over the blue line and took a wrist shot from the top of the left circle. Goaltender Aaron Pichette made a stick save but the puck would ricochet up in the air and Maxim Lefebvre knocked it out of the air and into the net. The goal was credited to Kallin unassisted but it was Lefebvre at the right side of the net who scored. The Bucs would then score 3 consecutive times, two late in the second and again in the third before Comox would answer. Nanaimo dominated a lot of the second period outshooting the Glacier Kings 16-6. With the score 4-1 midway through the third period, and the Glacier Kings on a power play, Lucas Dionne checked Kingston Gowans up high and took a roughing penalty to give the Yeti a 5 on 3 for 1:10. Head coach Curtis Toneff took the opportunity to take a timeout and it paid off.  A beautiful Tic-Tac-Toe play would pull the GKings within 2. From the right hash, Westin Churchill passed the puck back to the point to Evan Marko who quickly got it to the side of the net to Isaac Dunsire. The Courtenay native would one-time a cross-crease pass to Zaya Moro who buried it into the open net. Marko should have been credited with a second assist but wasn’t on the official game sheet. Comox Valley would have more chances, including a couple more power play opportunities but Pichette closed the door. All in all, it was a good third frame for the Glacier Kings but they fell short.

The game was physical at times, some clean, some not so clean. Comox was 1 for 7 on the PP while Nanaimo went 2 for 4. Timothee Fengos stopped stopped 30 of pucks sent his way while Aaron Pichette blocked 21 of 23.

The Glacier Kings next action is Friday in Saanich. The Predators are coming off a 7-3 victory over the Kerry Park Islanders on Friday. Travis Swanson had a hat trick in that one. He also potted a couple of goals in pre-season. As for the Bucs, they travel to Westshore on Wednesday. The Wolves lost 7-2 to Peninsula on Friday.

Other Observations

  • This is the 3rd year in a row that the Glacier Kings have lost their season opener. Last time they won their first game was 2022-23 when they beat the Westshore Wolves 5-2 at the Q Centre.
  • The first period of last night’s game wasn’t shown on FloHockey due to technical problems.
  • Going back to pre-season action, Zaya Morro has scored in 3 straight games.
  • It was nice to see Larenzo Jensen back behind the microphone. Larenzo has also helped out with a lot of Nanaimo Clippers broadcasts in the past as well.
  • It only took the Glacier Kings 17 seconds to score on their 5 on 3.
  • The announced crowd at the NIC on Saturday was 355. That was their biggest crowd since September 6th, 2018. That was also their season opener when they beat Campbell River 3-1. The announced crowd that night was 370.
  • During the game, I was texting with Comox Valley owner Marsha Webb and former Campbell River Storm play by play broadcaster Mark Berry. One of the reasons I started a blog again was because I was missing the hockey community.
  • This was the first time since 2015 that the Glacier Kings opened their season against Nanaimo. They have started against Campbell River the majority of the times before this. In case you’re wondering, the Buccaneers won that game 4-3 in OT.

That’s it for today, have a great rest of your weekend!

Darryl Skender

Game 1 Tonight

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The Comox Valley Glacier Kings open their 2025-26 regular season tonight as they travel to Nanaimo to take on the Buccaneers. Nanaimo played home and home series with both Oceanside and Port Alberni during the pre-season going 1-3 with their one win coming in overtime in Port Alberni. Jack Barrett scored the winner at 7:24 of the extra frame which was his 3rd goal and 4th point in 3 exhibition games.

The Glacier Kings meanwhile played Campbell River 3 times and Lake Cowichan twice going a combined 0-4-1, losing all their games by 1 goal (except in Lake Cowichan which was an empty netter that made it 2 goals).  Comox was led by Joel Schmidt who had 3 goals and 1 assist in 3 games. Suhaan Nagra also scored 3 goals during his 5 exhibition games.

It’s hard to see how this year’s Glacier Kings team stacks up against last year’s. They will have fewer 20 year old’s up front than they ended up with last season.  Head coach & GM Curtis Toneff believes the Defence should be better and is expecting the Forwards to be decent as well. He said, “I think with our Forwards, we’ll have 3 second lines and then a real good role line. It’s very early still but I like the attitude of our team. We have to see them execute more but I won’t say better or worse, just need a bigger sample size.”

Scoring goals was difficult at times for Comox Valley last season. Toneff said, “I can see that improving this season. Last year I thought we defended very well. I think me as a coach, maybe need to to loosen up on some details and the let the players make more plays.” Of course the issue with loosening the reigns would most likely have an effect on their defensive systems that they have in place.

It appears the Glacier Kings will start the season with 13 forwards and 5 defenceman. Toneff said that he will keep 5 defenceman for the time being while he awaits the fate of Kyle Mayenburg who is trying out with the Powell River Kings right now. The Comox bench boss also said, “I’m definitely on the hunt for defencemen but I’m just not the kind of guy anymore that in the back of my mind I know a guy I bring in that won’t make it through, and charge him money. I’d rather give the extra reps to our guys and when the one or two good ones come along, pick them up.” As a side note, the Glacier Kings will also be carrying 3 goalies, at least to start the year.

Glacier Kings Matchup Tonight

Comox Valley @ Nanaimo
Date: Sep. 6-25
Time: 7:15 PM
Location: Nanaimo Ice Centre
Comox Valley Record: 0-0-0-0 (T-3rd in North)
Nanaimo Record: 0-0-0-0 (T-3rd in North)
Last Year’s Head To Head: 4-1-0 (For Comox Valley)

Darryl Skender

Glacier Kings Will Start The Season Without A Captain

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The Comox Valley Glacier Kings have announced that they will not name a captain before the start of the regular season on Saturday. Head coach/GM Curtis Toneff said, “The opportunity is there for someone. We don’t have a captain. It’s kinda by design. As a younger coach, you get excited to do those things, now definitely sitting back and evaluating and seeing who steps up.” Comox Valley’s first game will be on the road on Saturday in Nanaimo.

Darryl Skender