Nanaimo, BC – The Nanaimo Clippers welcomed the Surrey Eagles into the Frank Crane Arena on Saturday, finishing off a gruelling three games in three days stretch that saw the Clippers win the first two games. The already short-handed Clippers saw their three game win streak end Saturday in a 4-1 loss.
The Clippers were without star forward Sean Donaldson, who began a three-game suspension for a spear in the previous game against Powell River. Four minutes into the game, recent acquisition Alek Sukunda took a tripping penalty. Within 30 seconds of being on the power-play, Surrey forward Micheal Abragall scored to put the Eagles up 1 early. The Clippers regrouped with a goal from Ontarian Brody Waters. Waters popped his fifth goal of the year to even the score a 1-1 on a pass from Kai Daniells. The Clippers locked down defensively, attempting to keep Surrey’s quick offence off the board. Keighan Gerrie got under the skin of Eagles forward Primo Self and drew a cross checking penalty to give the clippers a key power play, although they were unable to score with the advantage. Shortly after returning to full strength, the Eagles took the lead back on a Grayden Slipec goal. The period would end with the Eagles up 2-1. Clippers Forward Luca Grabas ended the period with a 10 minute misconduct penalty, it didn’t result in a power play, but did leave the Clippers down a player for half of the second period.
The Clippers came out in the second looking to keep the game within striking distance, prioritizing defence over offence. The change in play style resulted in the Clippers only managing a single shot in the first 11 minutes of the second. They kept the Eagles at bay as much as they could, Jed Baliotti kept the Clippers in the game with key saves to keep it a one goal game. The only goal of the second period was scored by Cade Penney, his first BCHL goal. Surrey also had the lone penalty of the period, a holding call on Brody Gagno. The Clippers were unable to capitalize.
By the time the third period started, the effect of playing three games in three days seemed to show. Surrey scored an early goal from Ante Zlomisic to go up 4-1. A string of three Eagles penalties gave the Clippers ample opportunity to close the gap, including a 45 second 5 on 3 power-play. They were unable to find the back of the net. Alek Sukunda was named FortisBC Energy Player of the Game for his efforts in drawing multiple penalties.
The Clippers get some much needed rest before starting a stretch of 5 straight away games starting this Friday in Chilliwack against the Chiefs before returning home to the Frank Crane Arena on February 18th against the Chiefs on VIU Student Night. Tickets can be purchased at nanaimoclippers.com or at the Frank Crane box office on game day.
Written by Malcom Cooke
Recap presented by NextGen Automation
https://www.nextgenautomation.com/
