The Nanaimo Clippers have done a good job this season getting up for the big games, and that will be imperative this week.
The Shipmen begin a home-and-home series tonight (Nov. 24) on the road against the Powell River Kings before returning home to play the Kings on Friday (Nov. 26).
The Clips know they’ll be hard-pressed to score goals against Powell River – the Coastal Conference’s best team has allowed only 50 goals over its first 29 games.
“You really have to get pucks and bodies to the net,” said Kiefer McNaughton, Clippers defenceman. “If you get away from that it’s hard because [if] you try and be too fancy, the goalie's going to make the save.”
Clippers forward Gerry Fitzgerald said his team needs to use its speed to get around Powell River’s big defencemen. The Clips aren’t daunted, he said, facing the conference’s No. 1 team.
“We obviously look forward to it – we’ve been doing good against the top teams,” Fitzgerald said. “We’ll work our hardest, do our best. With everyone contributing we’ll have a good chance of winning.”
GAME ON … The Clippers and Kings face off Wednesday (Nov. 24) at 7 p.m. at Powell River's Hap Parker Arena. On Friday (Nov. 26) the teams face off at 7:10 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena. The Clips then host the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Saturday, also a 7:10 p.m. start at Frank Crane.
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