The Nanaimo Clippers scored a spirited win on Friday, but seemed to sleep in a little bit on Sunday.
The city’s B.C. Hockey League club split its weekend action at Frank Crane Arena, defeating the Salmon Arm Silverbacks 4-1 and then falling 4-2 to the Langley Rivermen.
Mike Vandekamp, Clippers coach, said the off-ice day Saturday always makes it challenging to be ready to play on Sundays.
“It’s a game of inches out there and if you’re just a little bit behind where you normally are and you don’t have that jump and that sharpness, then it comes back to haunt you,” he said.
The Clips did get on the board first in the matinee game with an early power-play goal from Bo Brauer, but the Rivermen had the run of play for the first two periods, building up a 3-1 lead.
Nanaimo had some strong shifts to start the third, but ran into penalty trouble that stalled any comeback hopes.
Colton Dahlen scored Nanaimo’s other goal and Jayson Argue suffered the loss, making 24 saves in relief of Liam McLeod.
On Friday, Scott Prier, Sheldon Rempal, Mason Mitchell and Brauer scored and Argue made 30 stops for the win.
GAME ON … The Clippers play Friday (Oct. 4) and Saturday at Frank Crane Arena, hosting the Cowichan Valley Capitals and West Kelowna Warriors, respectively. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. both nights. Tickets are buy one, get one half price; for more information visit www.nanaimoclippers.com.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com