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Clippers score late and shut out Chiefs to sweep series

Nanaimo has won all eight of its BCHL playoff games so far

The Nanaimo Clippers still have yet to be defeated in the B.C. Hockey League playoffs.

The Clippers scored late to shut out the Chilliwack Chiefs 1-0 on Tuesday at Frank Crane Arena and sweep the second-round series four games to none.

Keighan Gerrie scored with four and a half minutes left in the third period – his second game-winning goal in two nights – and goalie Cooper Black stopped all 37 shots he faced for the shutout.

“It’s hard to get those good-quality chances, so when they come, you’ve got to make them count,” said Gerrie.

Assistant coach Bob Foglietta said the Clippers are a confident group right now and that was a factor in a tight game.

“We were trying to eliminate really quality chances for them and if we could do that, we knew we’ve got the talent on this team to get one goal and that’s all it took tonight,” he said.

Black said the Clippers have the personnel to win 6-3 games and 1-0 games because guys want to work hard and have the skill to score when they need to.

“[When] it’s a wide-open game, guys are going to bury, or if it’s a tight game, like you saw, Gerrie today scored on the one shot that was all we needed,” Black said. “So I think those are the little things that put us over the edge compared to other teams.”

Gerrie said shutting teams down and winning one-goal games builds character and brings the group closer together.

Foglietta said the Clippers needed their depth as they were “running on fumes” playing their fourth game in five nights.

“We battled and we got the win,” he said. “It just came down to who wanted it more and I think our guys were blocking shots and paying the price to win the game.”

In Game 3 the night before, the Clippers beat the Chiefs 2-1 in overtime. Gerrie scored both goals with his game-winner coming about halfway through the first OT period. Black made 35 saves in that game for the win.

GAME ON … The Clippers will have more than a week off before they play the winner of the series between the Alberni Valley Bulldogs and the Langley Rivermen. The Rivermen lead that series two games to one.

READ ALSO: Clippers lead Chiefs in playoff series, still perfect in post-season



editor@nanaimobulletin.com

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