The Nanaimo Clippers haven’t had a happy new year so far.
The B.C. Hockey League team dropped both halves of back-to-back contests on the road against the Powell River Kings on Saturday and Sunday, losing 3-1 and then 8-4.
The second game was as wild as the score indicated, with plenty of rough stuff to go along with all the goals.
Sheldon Rempal scored a pair to boost his league-best total to 42, while Troy MacTavish and Chris Dodero also tallied. Shots were 42-31 in favour of the Kings, with Evan Johnson suffering the loss for the Clips.
The day before it was Nanaimo with the shots-on-goal advantage, 38-23. Johnson tended goal in that one, too, and Edwin Hookenson scored the only goal for the Shipmen.
The Clippers resumed their BCHL schedule last Wednesday with a road game against the Cowichan Valley Capitals, a 5-2 victory.
Rempal paced the Clippers with two goals and Devin Brosseau, Yanni Kaldis and Corey Renwick were other scorers. Johnson made 28 saves for the win as Nanaimo outshot Cowichan 35-31.
GAME ON … The Clippers host the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Wednesday (Jan. 6) at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena, and will then get another crack at the Kings on Saturday, a 6 p.m. start at Frank Crane.