CLIPPERS EVEN SERIES WITH KINGS IN HARD FOUGHT 4-3 WIN

It was a classic back and forth playoff game at Frank Crane Arena on Saturday with the Clippers beating the Powell River Kings 4-3.

Powell River took a 1-0 series lead into the game and scored the only goal of the first period of Game 2 of the stick of Neal Samanski.

Nanaimo came back with a very strong second period with goals by David Melaragni and Jamie Collins.

Collins goal was the first of the series on the man advantage but it wouldn’t be the last.

Samanski scored his second of the night and third of the series on the power play to even the score in the third period before Parker Colley beat Derek Krall to give Nanaimo the lead back.

When Tristan Crozier scored late on another Clipper power play to give Nanaimo a 4-2 lead, it looked like Nanaimo had locked the game down.

But the Kings got a late goal with a man up by Ben Berard to set up a furious finish.

Taz Burman and the Clippers got the win in a game where the shots finished 30-27 for the visitors.

Power plays were a major story in the game with Nanaimo going 2/10 and the Kings finishing 2/6.

Saturday’s Three Stars

1) Jamie Collins 1g 1a

2) Neal Samanski 2g 1a

3) Parker Colley 1g 1a

Games 3 and 4 of the series shift to Powell River on Monday and Tuesday.

Nanaimo has had a successful run in Powell River throughout the regular season with three wins in four games at the Hap Parker Arena.

Game 5 will be back in Nanaimo on Thursday March 8.