NANAIMO — The Clippers and Bulldogs played their third game of the young season on Friday night and they couldn’t settle it until three on three overtime.
Defenseman David Melaragni had the winner in a 2-1 Nanaimo victory.
Both teams scored in the first period and then the goalies took over from there.
Jake Harris scored his fifth of the season to give the Clippers the lead but just two minutes later Brandon Bergado converted on a power play to tie the score.
The Clippers Austin Roden and Alberni’s John Hawthorne then slammed the door for the next 40 plus minutes.
It was the Clippers who had the better of the play, and they outshot the Bulldogs 40-22.
On the power play Nanaimo was 0/5 and Alberni Valley finished 1/4.
Melaragni’s winning goal came after a sequence of back and forth action early in the three on three overtime session.
He was set up by a long pass from Cal Babych, deked out Hawthorne, and gave the Clippers their fifth win of the season.
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Friday’s Three Stars
1) David Melaragni 1g
2) John Hawthorne 38 saves
3) David Silye
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Saturday the Clippers host the Victoria Grizzlies at 6 p.m. with second place in the Island Division up for grabs.
Nanaimo won the only other head to head matchup this season with a 5-2 win back on September 16.
