SALMON ARM – The Clippers are on a three game winning streak for the first time since October after a 4-3 overtime win against the Silverbacks on Friday.
Lucas Finner scored his second OT winner of the season to give Nanaimo two points to start their three game road trip.
The teams traded goals in the first period with Ben Taylor getting the Clippers off to a good start with a power play deflection.
Justin Wilson beat Evan DeBrouwer on a shot from the slot to send the game to the intermission at 1-1.
Nanaimo took control in the second period when Josh Blanchard banged home a loose puck against his old team to put the Clippers up 2-1.
Taylor Karel drove the net and added a 3-1 goal when he beat Trevin Kozlowski half way through the period.
In the third Nathan Ianonne failed to convert on a Salmon Arm penalty shot, but a power play goal by Elijah Barriga and a six on five goal from Jared Turcotte with just over one minute remaining sent the game to overtime.
The Silverbacks were assessed a penalty in the final minute of regulation and that set the stage for Finner’s OT game winner just 49 seconds into the extra session.
Nanaimo was outshot 43-42 and the power plays finished 2/4 for the Clippers and 1/5 for Salmon Arm.
The Clippers road trip continues with games in Vernon Saturday and Surrey on Sunday.
A win Saturday would match Nanaimo’s longest winning streak of the season at four games.
After Friday’s victory the Clippers sat three points behind the third place Cowichan Valley Capitals and four points ahead of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs for the final playoff spot in the Island Division.
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Friday’s Three Stars
1) Ben Taylor 1g
2) Justin Wilson 1g 1a
3) Lucas Finner 1g
***Photo Credit – Gay Dorland
