Nanaimo, BC – The Nanaimo Clippers bounced back from their Friday overtime loss in a big way on Sunday afternoon against the Victoria Grizzlies. A 7-2 victory with 3-point nights from Michael Craig and Sean Donaldson.
The scoring opened four minutes and twenty seconds into the game when Kai Daniells smoked a shot from the point past Victoria netminder Cole Schwebius for his 10th goal of the year. Jérémie Payant stole the puck from a Victoria defender and proceeded to go coast to coast, squeaking the biscuit just through Schwebius’ five hole to put the Clippers up 2-0 late in the first period. Clippers netminder Jed Baliotti stopped all 11 Grizzlies shots he faced in the first, including a sliding save to keep the Grizzlies scoreless.
The second period began with back to back Clippers penalties, giving Victoria a chance to score one on the power play. Three minutes later, after circling the zone for what seemed like an eternity, Victoria added another goal to tie the game at two. Then the floodgates opened for Nanaimo, having a five minute stretch in the second period that saw 4 clippers goals in quick succession. Andrew Noel got it started on the power-play, netting his 5th of the season on a beautiful cross ice pass from Jake Hewitt. Less than two minutes later, Sean Donaldson led a 3 on 1 rush that he finished himself for his 27th goal of the season. Before the Grizzlies could catch their breath after giving up two quick ones, Daniells scored his 2nd of the game and 11th goal of the year, less than 20 seconds later to put the Clippers up 5-2. Grizzlies swapped their goalies, hoping Kyle Kelsey could change the tide. He did not, as Tristan Fraser wired home his 11th of the season on another Clippers power-play to put the home team up 6-2 aside from the barrage of goals. The second period had its fair share of penalties with each team getting 3 minors a piece throughout the period.
The second period began with back to back Clippers penalties, giving Victoria a chance to score one on the power play. Three minutes later, after circling the zone for what seemed like an eternity, Victoria added another goal to tie the game at two. Then the floodgates opened for Nanaimo, having a five minute stretch in the second period that saw 4 clippers goals in quick succession. Andrew Noel got it started on the power-play, netting his 5th of the season on a beautiful cross ice pass from Jake Hewitt. Less than two minutes later, Sean Donaldson led a 3 on 1 rush that he finished himself for his 27th goal of the season. Before the Grizzlies could catch their breath after giving up two quick ones, Daniells scored his 2nd of the game and 11th goal of the year, less than 20 seconds later to put the Clippers up 5-2. Grizzlies swapped their goalies, hoping Kyle Kelsey could change the tide. He did not, as Tristan Fraser wired home his 11th of the season on another Clippers power-play to put the home team up 6-2 aside from the barrage of goals. The second period had its fair share of penalties with each team getting 3 minors a piece throughout the period.
The third period was less eventful than the second, so much so the Grizzlies decided to pull the goalie with seven minutes remaining in the game. Max Itagaki scored his 15th goal of the year, finally putting one into the yawning cage with two minutes left in the game. Clippers goalie, Jed Baliotti, stood on his head the entire third period stopping all 18 shots the Grizzlies threw at him. Baliotti allowed just 2 goals on 40 shots the entire game, good enough to earn the 3rd Star of the game. Kai Daniells and Michael Craig rounded out the other two stars. Skyler Cameron earned the FortisBC Energy Player of the Game.
The Clippers will have a rematch with the Grizzlies this Thursday, in Victoria, before returning home on Friday, January 28th at 7 p.m., to face the Powell River Kings for the Clippers 460 Realty Alumni Game. Tickets can be purchased at tickets.nanaimoclippers.com or at the box office on game day.
Written by Malcom Cooke
