If the Clippers have a nemesis it’s the Victoria Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies tied Nanaimo for first place in the Island Division on Tuesday with a 6-3 win at the Q Centre.
Josh Bourne gave the Clippers a 1-0 lead in the first period with a wicked shot high to the glove side.
In the second period the teams went back and forth with the Grizzlies taking a 2-1 lead on goals by Ryan Nolan and Nico Somerville.
Then the Clippers responded with a wraparound by Preston Brodziak and a rebound goal by Hunor Torzsok.
Alex Newhook tied the game late in the period with shot to the stick side.
The game winning goal came in the last minute of the middle frame when Victoria’s Cam Thompson muscled his way to the front of the net to score.
In the third period Justin Michalian added some insurance before Thompson cashed in with an empty netter.
Nanaimo outshot Victoria 37-33 and neither team scored on the man advantage with the Clippers going 0/4 and the Grizzlies finishing 0/2.
Zach Rose got the win in goal over the Clippers Taz Burman.
Victoria has taken a stranglehold on the season series with a 4-1-1 record through the first six games.
Nanaimo plays Victoria two more times this month with a road game on the 26th and a home date on January 31.
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Tuesday’s Three Stars
1) Alex Newhook 1g 1a
2) Shawn O’Malley 1a
3) Zach Rose 34 saves
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The Clippers are back on home ice on Saturday when they host the Powell River Kings at 6 p.m.
