The Nanaimo Clippers found a way to win a game that had its share of twists and turns.
The Clips edged the Victoria Grizzlies 5-4 in overtime on Wednesday night at Frank Crane Arena after Ryan Coghlan's slapshot game-winner.
"It's always exciting to score an OT winner but … I'm just happy that I could contribute to the victory," said Coghlan.
The teams traded goals for two periods, with the game intensifying in the second period with a fight and misconduct penalties.
"It comes with the territory, right? It's an Island Division battle, we see these guys quite a bit during the year so a lot of their guys get under our skin," Coghlan said. "I think it's good sometimes when the game's a little feisty."
It's a sign, perhaps, that playoffs are approaching, said Clippers coach Mike Vandekamp.
"I think we're at that time of year where the teams that are going to contend to win the Island here are going to be competing like that every day," he said.
The coach said his team didn't play as well as it wanted to defensively, making some turnovers, and he said there were problems on the penalty kill as the Grizzlies scored three PP goals.
Brett Roulston's unassisted game-tying goal five minutes into the third, though, sparked the Clippers and they had chances to win in regulation.
In overtime, goalie Guillaume Decelles stretched out to make a key save midway through the frame, keeping the Clips in it so they could go get the win a minute and a half later.
Anthony Rinaldi, Nicolas Carrier and Edwin Hookenson were Nanaimo's other goal scorers, Jake Jackson tallied two assists and Decelles finished with 36 saves.
The win will springboard the Clippers into a busy weekend, as they play three games in four days.
"It's going to be a tough grind for us here this week, but it's a good challenge and this [win] obviously gives us a bit of confidence and a good upbeat vibe here going into the weekend," Vandekamp said.
GAME ON … The Clippers visit the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Friday at 7 p.m. at Weyerhaeuser Arena, host the Langley Rivermen on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane and then travel to play the Powell River Kings on Monday at 2 p.m.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
Clippers beat Grizzlies 5-4 on Ryan Coghlan's overtime game-winning goal… #Nanaimo #Clippers pic.twitter.com/Uvt8sQYY27
— Greg Sakaki (@BulletinSports) February 5, 2015