The Nanaimo Clippers were proud of their defensive efforts in their last game, a 2-0 win against the Chilliwack Chiefs.
Now that defensive prowess will really be tested – the Clips face the Coastal Conference’s highest-scoring team, the Victoria Grizzlies, this Friday (Oct. 28) at Frank Crane Arena.
The Grizz have scored seven goals in three straight games and boast three of the league’s top point-getters in Wade Murphy, Jarryd Ten Vaanholt and Wesley Myron.
“That’s going to be a major key, to shut their top line down,” said Kyle Kramer, Clippers alternate captain. “You’ve just got to be more aware and think defence first. Maybe you wouldn’t make a risk that you would against another line because their top guys are going to capitalize if the risk doesn’t work out.”
Each team has won two games of the season series so far and all four games have been high-scoring affairs.
"When we're playing our game they can't play with us," said Tanner Clarkson, Clippers forward. "The key is to be able to play a full 60. When we have fallen asleep a bit for parts of the game, they've taken advantage and that's when we've had our problems."
GAME ON … The Clippers and the Grizzlies play Friday at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena. It’s the first of four games in five days for Nanaimo, as the Clips will go on to play road games against the Langley Rivermen on Saturday, the Surrey Eagles on Sunday and then the Grizz on Tuesday.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com