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Streaking team motivated to keep winning

The Nanaimo Clippers know their five-game winning streak the past two weeks hasn’t just been a run of good luck. But it’s easy to joke around when your team is winning every game.

The Nanaimo Clippers know their five-game winning streak the past two weeks hasn’t just been a run of good luck.

But it’s easy to joke around when your team is winning every game.

“A lot of the guys are saying five games is a fluke, six is a streak,” said David Iacono, Clippers defenceman. “And then once we get that sixth win it becomes, six is a fluke, seven’s a streak.”

The fact that the Clips are winning games, said Iacono, is motivation to see if they can keep the streak going. Nanaimo (8-4-0-3) play the Alberni Valley Bulldogs (7-5-1) on Friday (Nov. 4) at Frank Crane Arena and the two teams meet again Saturday over the hump.

The Bulldogs themselves go into Friday’s tilt riding a four-game win streak.

“They’re a fast, skilled club and I’m sure they’re playing with quite a bit of confidence,” said Mike Vandekamp, Clippers coach.

Andrew Gladiuk, an alternate captain, said even though Nanaimo  hasn’t played Alberni as often as some other teams this fall, the Clips are familiar with some of the Bulldogs’ players.

“We know we hate them,” he said. “There’s going to be some intensity in the game, for sure…“If they’re playing good, they’re a pretty hard-working team, they’re going to get in on the forecheck and I think we need to play our systems and make sure we don’t give up odd-man rushes.”

Iacono said the goal is to force the Bulldogs to adjust to the Clippers’ game, and also to play physical.

“We have to be really aggressive with them, get lots of hits, show them what we’ve got,” he said.

GAME ON … The Clippers and Bulldogs face off Friday (Nov. 4) at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena. Saturday's rematch at Weyerhaeuser Arena at Port Alberni is also a 7 p.m. start.

sports@nanaimobulletin.com