The Nanaimo Clippers need wins, and they’ll play like they need a win.
The city’s junior A hockey club takes on the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Wednesday (Nov. 30) and has two more divisional games this weekend (Dec. 2-3) against the Cowichan Valley Capitals.
“We definitely feel like we’re close to breaking out and getting a couple strings of wins here,” said Matt Kowalski, Clippers forward.
Nanaimo have had a trying month of November that has included an eight-game winless streak, but Kowalski said it isn’t all bad.
“Everybody’s getting closer together through wins and losses,” he said. “It’s tightening up the group and making everybody want to play for each other to get that feeling of winning again.”
To start getting results, he said the Clippers need to stay focused and engaged in games and bear down on chances.
“We’re having a tough time scoring right now, so we need to get that figured out,” said Tate Coughlin, Clippers forward. “More shots on net, burying our opportunities, bearing down in front of the net on those rebounds, things like that. Little things.”
GAME ON … The Clippers and Bulldogs play at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Frank Crane Arena. The Clps and Capitals play Friday (Dec. 2) at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena. Saturday’s rematch is at 7 p.m. at the Island Savings Centre in Duncan.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com