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Clippers stand up to Bulldogs

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Nanaimo Clippers goalie Charles-Andre Pelletier stymies the Alberni Valley Bulldogs during Wednesday's B.C. Hockey League game at Frank Crane Arena. The Clippers won 4-3.

The Nanaimo Clippers didn’t let themselves get pushed around, and ended up winning the game.

The city’s B.C. Hockey League team defeated the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Wednesday night at Frank Crane Arena by a 4-3 score.

The Shipmen again made hay on the power play – Nanaimo was 3-for-7 with the man advantage.

Nanaimo’s Colton Cyr scored the game’s first goal on a power play midway through the first period.

Alberni’s Tyler Berkholtz tied it early in the second but Ryan Stanimir pounced on a rebound to restore the Clippers’ lead midway through the frame, then Graeme McCormack’s power-play point shot gave the home team a two-goal lead heading into the second intermission.

Berkholtz scored again 35 seconds into the third period but Nanaimo made it a two-goal game again midway through the third on another PP point shot, this time from Victor Newell. The Bulldogs took over the play from there, but Nanaimo goalie Charles-Andre Pelletier was stellar, allowing only a deflected goal by Kenney Morrison late in the period.

“[Pelletier] really held us in there,” said Brodie Jamieson, who had two assists for the Clippers. “He stood on his head when they had the pressure.”

Berkholtz said Alberni’s no-quit attitude was evident as usual, but he lamented his team’s undisciplined play in the second period.

“All those penalties kind of gave Nanaimo a lot of momentum which took away from us,” he said. “Once we got back to hitting the momentum started to change.”

But the Clippers didn’t let the Bulldogs be bullies, and hit back, which proved important.

“You’ve got to push back if they start playing the body,” said Zach Martin, Clippers forward. “Once you do that it’s a lot easier to play – a lot more ice out there and a lot easier to get the puck to the net.”

GAME ON … Pelletier was named the game’s first star as his team was outshot 36-25. Berkholtz was second star, Jamieson was third star and Kyle Kramer and Andrew Gladiuk had two assists apiece for the Clippers. Alberni’s Casey Bailey also had a two-assist night … Nanaimo’s next game is Friday (Dec. 3) when the Coquitlam Express visit Frank Crane Arena for a 7:10 p.m. start … Alberni plays tonight (Dec. 2) against the Langley Chiefs at 7 p.m. at Weyerhaeuser Arena.

sports@nanaimobulletin.com