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Nanaimo Clippers say work has already started for next season

Clippers lose playoff series to Powell River Kings, four games to one
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Nanaimo Clippers player Ethan Scardina and Powell River Kings opponent Ethan Kimball vie for a puck behind the Kings net during a playoff game this past week at Nanaimo’s Frank Crane Arena. GREG SAKAKI/The News Bulletin

The Clippers were one shot away from tying the series, but instead, two nights later, the season came to an end.

The Nanaimo Clippers were defeated 5-1 by the Powell River Kings in Game 5 of the best-of-seven first-round BCHL playoff series on Thursday in Powell River.

On Tuesday, the Clips had missed a chance to tie the series when they lost 5-4 in overtime, and Thursday, they weren’t able to make things as close. Josh Bourne scored Nanaimo’s only goal and Landon Pavlisin stopped 22 of 26 shots in defeat.

A statement from Clippers management thanked fans, volunteers, sponsors, billets and players.

“Thank you to our players; this season you wore the Clippers uniform with pride and we can’t thank you enough,” the statement noted. “Best of luck to our 20-year-olds and everyone else moving on.. We hope we were able to make a positive impact on your life.”

Graduating 20-year-olds include Daniel Gatenby, Jordan Dawson, Carter Stephenson, Marcus Mitchell and Gunnar Wegleitner. Sammy Steele and Thomas Samuelsen are expected to move on to NCAA Div. 1 hockey in the fall.

The Clippers added that “work now begins for the 2019-2020 season.”

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