The Nanaimo Clippers battled through more adversity and came out of it with two out of three wins.
The city’s B.C. Hockey League team (28-18-0-3) lost 3-2 to the Surrey Eagles on Friday, but beat the Coquitlam Express 5-2 on Saturday and held off the Langley Rivermen 5-4 on Sunday to finish the road trip with four points.
The Clippers travelled to the mainland nursing a handful of injuries, and were also missing a couple of guys for portions of the weekend due to minor suspensions.
In the first game the Eagles scored three times in the second period to build a lead that the Clippers couldn't quite overcome. Reid Sturos and Greg Fraser tallied in the third to make things close and goalie Jayson Argue made 38 saves as his team was outshot 28-24.
The next day, the Clippers were the team to build a 3-0 advantage on a goal from Garrett Brandsma and two from Sturos. The teams traded tallies from there with Mason Mitchell and Fraser scoring for Nanaimo. Derek Dun was the winning goalie as his team was again outshot, 32-30.
On Sunday, Mitchell scored two goals, Fraser had a goal and three assists and Brock Maschmeyer and Grant were the other scorers. Argue was the winning goalie; shots were 44-38 in favour of the Rivermen.
GAME ON … The Clippers host the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Friday (Feb. 22) at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com