By Malcom Cooke
The Nanaimo Clippers had their seven-game win streak snapped on Saturday as they fell 2-1 to the Prince George Spruce Kings in overtime. Chazz Nixon made key saves for the home team to keep the game tied down the stretch. Cole Lonsdale scored the lone Clippers' goal.
The game started at a sluggish pace, with the Clippers registering their first shot nearly eight minutes in. Offensive chances were limited for both teams in an uneventful opening frame. Nanaimo took the game’s first penalty late in the period but managed to kill it without any trouble. Prince George held a slight edge in shots, outshooting the Clippers 10-7 through 20 minutes.
The Clippers had an early power play in the second but couldn’t capitalize. Goaltender Chazz Nixon kept the game scoreless with a spectacular goal-line glove save before Nanaimo earned a second man-advantage, which also went unrewarded. Prince George broke the deadlock midway through the period, scoring off a face-off to take a 1-0 lead. Nanaimo responded on their third power play of the night, as Cole Lonsdale’s shot deflected off a Spruce Kings defender and into the net for his 22nd goal of the season, tying the game 1-1. Late in the period, Elliot Perrault was penalized after being shoved into the Prince George goaltender, putting the Clippers on the penalty kill to start the third.
The Clippers successfully killed off their penalty to start the third, keeping the game locked at 1-1. Chazz Nixon came up big once again, making two key glove saves down the stretch to keep Prince George from regaining the lead. Nanaimo found themselves shorthanded late in the period but nearly took the lead while on the penalty kill. Tanner Bruender broke down the half-wall and drove to the net but was denied. The game headed into overtime.
The Clippers had their chances early in overtime, with Will Subject breaking in alone but getting denied, followed by Garin Ludwig being turned aside on another prime opportunity. However, three minutes into the extra frame, the Spruce Kings capitalized, scoring the game-winner to snap Nanaimo’s seven-game win streak.
The three stars of the game were awarded to Owen Goodbrand, Charles-Edward Gravel, and Chazz Nixon. Callas Pierce earned the FortisBC Energy Player of the Game for his physical presence.
The Clippers are back in action on Friday, Feb. 21st, at The Frank when they face off against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, game time is 7 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the Frank Crane box office on game day or at tickets.nanaimoclippers.com.
