The Nanaimo Clippers got some late heroics to extend their win streak to three in a row. The city’s B.C. Hockey League team (3-1) defeated the Cowichan Valley Capitals by a 4-3 score on Friday night in Duncan.
Clippers captain Trevor Fitzgerald scored the game-tying goal with seven minutes to go, and then scored the game winner, too, as he outmuscled an opponent to sweep in a rebound of a Reid Sturos shot in the game’s final minute.
Mike Vandekamp, Clippers coach, said his team controlled the play early before the Capitals raised their game in the second period.
“We kept playing hard, that’s all that we can do is go out and keep battling and try to create some bounces for ourselves,” said Vandekamp.
He said his team can take a lot of lessons out of Friday’s win.
“Just how fine that line is between really going hard enough, and not, what the difference is for us,” said the coach.
Josh Bryan was the other goal scorer for the Clippers and Jayson Argue earned the win in net as his team outshot the opposition 37-26.
GAME ON … The Clippers’ next game is Friday (Sept. 28) when Bill Bestwick’s Victoria Grizzlies (5-1-0-1) visit Frank Crane Arena for a 7 p.m. faceoff. It's the first of three games in three days for the Clips.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com