It was bombs away from the point as the Nanaimo Clippers beat the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Saturday night.
Nanaimo used four power-play goals – all of them generated off point shots – to defeat the Caps 4-3 at Frank Crane Arena.
The visitors got on the scoreboard just three minutes in, but the home team responded less than five minutes later when Sam Labrecque’s blast found the back of the net.
“We had a bit of a sloppy, difficult start of the game and then we scored on the power play and I think it pumped the team up,” Labrecque said.
He added another goal on the PP nine minutes later – his fourth goal in three games since returning from injury – as the Shipmen assumed full control of the play.
Graeme McCormack made it 3-1 midway through the second period, and he also keyed Nanaimo’s next goal early in the third period when his point shot ricocheted in off teammate Gerry Fitzgerald.
The Capitals scored two power-play goals of their own in the last two minutes of the game, but couldn’t add the tying marker.
“We set the pace and worked hard and that drew penalties and we took advantage on the power play,” McCormack said.
Nanaimo finished 4-for-10 with the man advantage. Even when the power-play units didn’t score, they controlled the puck shift after shift.
“Puck movement was really fast,” Labrecque said. “Against this team in particular, their PK’s very aggressive so it’s very important to move the puck very fast.”
Charles-Andre Pelletier earned the win in goal for the Clips as his team outshot the opposition 35-25.
GAME ON … The Clippers host the Alberni Valley Bulldogs this Wednesday (Dec. 1) at 7:10 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com