A weird night of crazy bounces, broken glass, and a whole lot of offense, the Nanaimo Clippers couldn't score enough goals and fell to the Chilliwack Chiefs 5-4.
The Clippers would jump out early at 1:07, as Michael McNicholas scored on a play that included a Greg Fraser header, a puck lost in skates, and a nice empty net rebound goal for McNicholas. The lead didn't last long, as Chilliwack would score twice in a 2 minute span to lead 2-1. Kyle Kramer would tie it up at 9:20, and then score again on a rebound at 18:15. Clippers would enter the dressing room up 3-2.
Only 1 goal would be scored in the 2nd period, as Chilliwack tied it up just before the 10 minute mark. Ben Masella scored his first BCHL goal.
In the 3rd, Nanaimo would fall apart for lapses, and the mistakes they made ended up in the back of their net. Josh Hansen scored a pair for the Chiefs, at 4:06 and again on the PP at 8:14. A spark from McNicholas at 14:26 would bring them to within one. That would set up a scramble in the final 18 seconds, and the Clippers would have an opportunity to tie it with 3 seconds remaining, only to have that shot miss the net.
3 Stars
3rd-Chilliwack Spencer Graboski
2nd – Nanaimo Kyle Kramer
1st – Chilliwack Josh Hansen
Clips Bits
–Chris Rygus fought Kiefer McNaughton in the 1st after McNaughton thought Rygus hit a teammate. The Chiefs player down missed Rygus on the ends boards and fell awkwardly
–Clippers scratched Brendan Taylor, Taylor Grobowski, and Chris Newton
–Jayson Argue started his 11th game of the season.
Next up for the Clippers is tomorrow night, against the Victoria Grizzlies at 7 PM. Get your tickets in advance at Beban House between 1-5pm tomorrow, or at the box office from 5-7. Come early to avoid the lineups. Doors open at 6. You can also call the office and reserve with a credit card. 250-751-0593
