Clippers fall 4-1 to the Chilliwack Chiefs

By Malcom Cooke

The Nanaimo Clippers fell to the Chilliwack Chiefs 4-1 in the 2024-25 home opener at Frank Crane Arena. With the loss, the Clippers fall to 0-1-1 in the early season. Patrick Fortune scored the lone Nanaimo goal. The Clippers hope to move into the win column on Saturday when they face the Powell River Kings.

The Chiefs took control of the game early, playing most of the initial five minutes of the first period in the Clippers’ zone. Chilliwack opened the scoring near the midway mark of the opening frame. Chazz Nixon attempted to cover up the puck, but Chiefs forward Nathan Morin shoved the puck past Nixon into the back of the net. The Chiefs mustered 9 shots and a goal before the Clippers managed to get their first shot on the net. The Clippers’ first official shot finally came thirteen minutes into the game, they had a few shots prior that hit the post and missed the net before registering one. Dylan Kinch made a slick toe-drag move to get a shot off on Chilliwack netminder Sebastian Gatto. Chazz Nixon denied a Chiefs scoring chance, sliding cross-crease to deny a backdoor one-timer. Nixon snagged a shot out of midair with his glove hand toward the end of the period, keeping the score at 1-0. A dust-up in the Chilliwack crease resulted in a Clippers power-play for the first period’s final minute. The Clippers could not capitalize on the man-advantage to end the first. They would have 45 seconds on the power play to start the second. Chilliwack outshot Nanaimo 14-3 through 20 minutes of play.

The Chiefs penalty expired early in the second period with the Clippers unable to capitalize on the power-play chance. The Chiefs added to their lead in the second period when they scored on a mad scramble in front of Chazz Nixon, putting them up 2-0. The Clippers were put on the penalty kill for the first time in the game with 8 minutes left to play in the second period. The Chiefs scored to go up 3-0. Initially, the Chiefs goal was called off, but upon further review, the replay showed the Chiefs did indeed score. Nanaimo began to claw back after the Chiefs went up by three. Torrance, California product, Patrick Fortune, scored his first goal as a Clipper to get the home team on the board. The momentum was short-lived, however, as Chilliwack scored shortly after Nanaimo to go up 4-1. The second period would end with the Chiefs maintaining a three-goal lead and outshooting the Clippers 25-10 through 40 minutes.

Nanaimo started the third period like they were shot out of a cannon. Dylan Kinch and rookie defenceman Nathan Larioza nearly linked up for a rare forward to defenceman two on one, but Larioza shot the puck wide of the net. The Clippers power play unit received a second chance in the third period. They peppered the Chiefs’ net with shots, getting the Chilliwack penalty kill to move around. With all the scrambling the Clippers were able to draw another penalty, giving the home team a 30-second five-on-three power play. The Clippers buzzed around the offensive zone but could not solve Gatto. Some shenanigans after the whistle sent a representative from both teams to the penalty box, resulting in four-on-four hockey. Penalties continued to roll in as the clock wound down to zero. Another incident of roughing after the whistle returned the play to four-on-four until Chilliwack took an additional penalty, giving Nanaimo a brief four-on-three. Neither team was able to add to the scoring total during the four-on-three. Nanaimo outshot the Chiefs 13-5 in the final stanza. The game ended with Chilliwack holding onto a 4-1 win.

The three stars of the game were given to Dakota Macintosh, and Sebastian Gatto of the Chiefs. Clipper forward Patrick Fortune took home the third star. Dylan Kinch was named FortisBC Energy Player of the Game.

The Clippers are back in action at The Frank on Saturday night to face the Powell River Kings. Tickets can be purchased at the Frank Crane box office on game day, or at tickets.nanaimoclippers.com.