The Nanaimo Clippers scored a dramatic victory to close out one of the most exciting games of the season so far.
The city's B.C. Hockey League team defeated the Victoria Grizzlies 3-2 on Friday night at Frank Crane Arena.
"Guys stepped up tonight, guys that were tired, [we] really battled through it," said Colton Cyr, team captain. "We didn't make too many crucial mistakes and other than that it was just a big effort from everybody."
Both teams took a lot of penalties and both took turns skating with the momentum. After a scoreless first period, the Clips scored two goals in a minute-in-a-half span when Cyr and Kyle Kramer tallied. Five minutes later the Grizzlies made it one-goal game, and that's the way it stayed until the third period.
Midway through the final frame, the Grizzlies worked the puck well on the power play and tied it when Pearce Eviston scored his second goal of the game.
But with two and a half minutes left, Brodie Jamieson sent Cyr in on a breakaway and the captain buried his own rebound.
"When I got the puck and I didn't feel anybody on my side I realized I was in all alone," Cyr said. "I wanted to shoot and score but obviously I'll take a rebound goal."
The Grizz weren't able to get any good chances with the goalie pulled and the Clips were able to close out the win. The victory was even sweeter because it capped off an intense game.
"It's not hard to get up for games against Victoria," said Kramer. "Guys were a little tired but we got up for it and won the game."
Victoria player Dustin Johnson, limping after the game from a skate cut, was just one of a handful of beaten-up Grizzlies.
"It was tough. We emptied the tanks tonight, we battled through some adversity," said the ex-Clipper. "We've got a couple more games against these guys this year that I'm sure we'll capitalize on."
ICE CHIPS … Charles-Alexy Premont earned the win in goal for the Clippers as the home team was outshot 29-28 … Clips defenceman Kiefer McNaughton bloodied two Grizzlies seconds apart in the third period, bodychecking David Morley and then winning a fight with Sean Robertson … Defenceman Jesse Ursic, formerly an affiliate player, is now a full-time member of the Clippers … Nanaimo's next game is Wednesday (Nov. 17) when the Quesnel Millionaires visit Frank Crane Arena for a 7:10 p.m. faceoff. A game preview will be posted at www.nanaimobulletin.com
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