The Nanaimo Clippers got up for a big game, but couldn’t make it back-to-back wins.
The city’s B.C. Hockey League team split a pair of home games on the weekend, defeating the West Kelowna Warriors 3-2 on Friday night at Frank Crane Arena but then losing 6-4 against the Powell River Kings on Sunday at Frank Crane.
In Friday’s game against the defending national champions, the Clippers tied the game twice in the second period and then got a game-winning goal from Ben Solin on a power play midway through the third period. Jamie Collins and Matt Creamer also tallied and Evan DeBrouwer made 26 saves for the win as shots were 32-28 in favour of Nanaimo.
Mike Vandekamp, Clippers coach, said he was pleased with his team's performance that night.
"We had solid structure, solid goaltending, ended up winning the special teams battle – killed all the penalties, scored a big goal on the power play to win the game," he said.
On Sunday, the Clips fell behind 6-1 in the third period before scoring some late goals. Creamer, Myles Cunningham, Aidan Casey and Shawn Guison scored and DeBrouwer took the loss.
"We just didn't start on time, so to speak," Vandekamp said. "We couldn't stay out of the penalty box and that really took away from any opportunity to win the game."
Nanaimo finished October with a 7-3-0-2 record.
GAME ON … The Clippers host the Chilliwack Chiefs on Friday (Nov. 4) at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena, then host the Merritt Centennials on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Frank Crane.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com