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Clippers face test of Merritt

The Clips play the Interior Conference’s second-place Merritt Centennials on Sunday (Jan. 22) at 3 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena.

The Nanaimo Clippers say they like playing against the B.C. Hockey League’s best teams. Well, they’re sure getting that opportunity these days.

The Clips play the Interior Conference’s second-place Merritt Centennials on Sunday (Jan. 22) at 3 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena.

It will be the fourth straight game that the Clippers have had to face a top-three team in the standings.

“It will show us what we’re up against,” said Dan Correale, Clippers forward. “From what I’ve heard they’re a real hard working team so we’ve got to be a harder working team.”

Merritt has only 10 regulation losses this season, second-fewest in the league. Beating them will be a challenge, but one the Clippers embrace.

“Of course we like it,” said Brendan Taylor, Clippers forward. “We’ve just got to play our game and do all the things that we want to do right and meet our goals.”

The Clippers think they can achieve those goals even against teams like the Surrey Eagles, who they faced Friday after press time, and the Centennials.

“Where we are in the standings we need to get up for every game and of course these games are extremely important,” said Luke Gordon, Clippers forward. “We just do the things we usually do. We don’t tend to talk about the other teams that much, we just usually play our game and we’re usually good enough to get it done.”

GAME ON … The Clips and Cents face off Sunday at 3 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena. Tickets will be available at the door.

sports@nanaimobulletin.com