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Clippers fall back in playoff chase after losses

The Nanaimo Clippers lost to the Powell River Kings and the Surrey Eagles in BCHL action on the weekend.
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Nanaimo Clippers forward Andrew Gladiuk

The Nanaimo Clippers managed only a goal a game on the weekend, not enough to keep pace in the playoff race.

The city’s B.C. Hockey League team dropped a pair of home games, falling 2-1 to the Powell River Kings on Friday in double overtime and then losing 3-1 to the Surrey Eagles the next night at Frank Crane Arena.

The Clippers weren’t patting themselves on the back after Friday’s one-goal loss to the conference leaders.

“We’ve got some ground to make up, so every point’s huge,” said Andrew Gladiuk, alternate captain.

He had his team’s only goal and Billy Faust made 34 saves in defeat.

“We grinded it out the whole time and we’re definitely upset about the loss, but I think we had a good effort and stuck with it,” Gladiuk said. “We just didn’t bear down in overtime.”

The next day’s game saw the Shipmen lose despite outshooting the visitors 53-39. Trevor Fitzgerald scored Nanaimo’s goal and Faust made 36 saves.

GAME ON … The Clippers host the Eagles on Wednesday (Feb. 8) at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena, then host the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Friday, also a 7 p.m. faceoff. The Clips are eight points back of the final playoff berth.