NANAIMO – For the second straight night the Clippers were in a one shot game with the best team in the Island Division, but for the second straight night they lost by one goal.
The Grizzlies took game four 4-3 to capture a 3-1 lead in the best of seven first round series.
The first half of the game was remarkably similar to game three.
In both games Victoria led 2-1 after the first period and the Clippers came back to even the score.
However on Wednesday Adam Pilotte’s goal late in the second period gave Nanaimo a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes.
The Clippers other goals were scored by Sean Buchanan and Josh Blanchard, with the Grizzlies first two markers going to Lucas Clark and Jamie Rome.
Cole Pickup was the story of the third period.
The Grizzlies veteran scored twice to give Victoria the lead and ultimately a 4-3 win.
Nanaimo was 0/5 on the man advantage and 3/4 on the penalty kill, while being outshot 28-25 by Victoria.
In the series the Grizzlies are up 3-1 on the strength of three one goal victories.
Both teams have scored the same number of goals with eight each over four games.
The game four loss sets up a must win for the Clippers at the Q Centre on Friday night.
Nanaimo will turn to their veterans Spencer Hewson, Sean Buchanan, Taylor Karel, Josh Blanchard, and David Eccles in game five.
Those graduating players will be fighting, not just to continue their season, but their junior careers as well.
*** Photo Credit – Gary Dorland
