The Nanaimo Clippers played and won the type of hard-fought Island Division rivalry game that will characterize the final stretch of the season.
The Shipmen defeated the Alberni Valley Bulldogs 5-3 on Wednesday night at Port Alberni.
"We hung on and we battled to the end," said Blake Clement, Clippers assistant coach. "We blocked a lot of shots in the third period and made some hard plays. There was a couple of fistfights, too … You're going to have tight games like that in the playoffs, so it doesn't matter how you win them, as long as you win them, that's all that matters."
The visitors got off to a 4-0 lead, but allowed three goals in a five-and-a-half-minute stretch midway through the second period to relinquish momentum.
"We could have sealed the deal, but we ended up letting them back in the game and had to have a really good third period and good goaltending to hang on," Clement said.
Netminder Evan Johnson made some big saves in the third, Clement said, and finished with 37 saves for the win. Devin Brosseau and Matt Hoover each scored twice for the Clippers, Will Reilly had the other goal and Sheldon Rempal tallied four assists to bring him to 99 points on the season.
With the win, the Clippers clinch a playoff berth in the B.C. Hockey League. They're now trying to secure first place on the Island and will get every opportunity to help their own cause as they play eight of their last nine games against Island Division opponents.
"It's great for our club. You're going to be playing a couple of these teams in the playoffs if you want to win your division…" Clement said. "And also we're trying to clinch first place in the division, so if you're taking points away from Island teams by playing them and winning, then that goes a long way."
GAME ON … The Clippers play a home-and-home series against the Victoria Grizzlies this weekend, hosting the Grizz on Friday (Jan. 29) at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena, then playing a rematch Sunday down the Malahat.
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