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Clippers fancy home cooking

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Alberni Valley Bulldogs player Sawyer Mick

The Nanaimo Clippers have precious few home games left on the schedule, so they need to take advantage of the ones they’ve got.

The Shipmen play only six of their last 16 games at Frank Crane Arena, but two of those home games are Friday (Jan. 14) and Saturday against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs and Surrey Eagles, respectively.

"I hope we can put six good periods together at home," said Bill Bestwick, Clippers coach. “Any confidences and energies that we’re going to build is going to have to start this weekend at home."

Nanaimo has been an excellent team on home ice this season, with a 14-8-1-1 record at Frank Crane. Fans may recall that the Clips were winless in their first five home games at the Crane, so they’re actually 14-4-0-1 since then.

Mike Domsodi, Clippers forward, said there’s some truth to the old “home cooking” cliche.

“Your routine is the same, you get your normal nap, meal, all that stuff, and you’ve got your hometown fans,” he said.

“We want to defend our house, our rink.”

They're also trying to defend – or even better, improve – their place in the Coastal Conference standings. The Bulldogs have crept closer this week and could be even tougher than they've been in previous meetings this year.

"We've got to win all the battles, be first to pucks," said Victor Newell, Clippers defenceman. "They're a gritty team and we've got to be grittier, basically want it more."

Domsodi said his team recognizes that the Bulldogs are going to bring a workmanlike effort to Frank Crane on Friday.

"They bring the best out of us, I think," Domsodi said. "They make us work hard and battle for every puck and every chance we get."

GAME ON … The Clippers and Bulldogs face off Friday (Jan. 14) at 7:10 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena. Saturday's game against the Eagles at Frank Crane is also a 7:10 p.m. start … Tickets for both games will be available at the door.

sports@nanaimobulletin.com