It wasn’t the first place showdown Clipper fans were expecting against the Powell River Kings on Friday.
Nanaimo lost 4-1 to drop three points behind the first place Kings.
In the first period Powell River scored goals 18 seconds apart to put the Clippers in a hole.
Jonny Evans scored on the power play and Ben Berard scored the very next shift.
Jake Harris scored Nanaimo’s only goal in the second period, which triggered the Teddy Bear Toss for the Great Nanaimo Toy Drive.
A goal by Andy Stevens just over a minute later but the Clippers behind the eight ball again, and there was not more scoring until a late empty netter credited to Berard.
The Clippers outshot the Kings 33-23 overall, and 28-12 over the final forty minutes but couldn’t get a second goal behind Matteo Paler-Chow.
Taz Burman took the loss for the Nanaimo.
It was a rare night the Clippers lead best power play wasn’t firing going 0/7.
The Kings meanwhile went 1/4.
—
Friday’s Three Stars
1) Matteo Paler-Chow 32 saves
2) Jonny Evans 1g 1a
3) Jake Harris 1g
—
On Saturday the Clippers travel to the Q Centre to take on the Victoria Grizzlies.
That begins a stretch of seven straight road games that will last until January 5th when Nanaimo hosts Alberni Valley.
