Nanaimo, BC – The Nanaimo Clippers kicked off the Coastal Conference Final series with a 4-0 victory over the Langley Rivermen. The Clippers take a 1-0 series lead and need just three more wins to book a spot in the BCHL Finals. The Clippers were led by a 36 save shutout performance from Cooper Black. Sean Donaldson added two goals in the win.
The first period was a feeling-out process for both teams. The Rivermen had an early chance to score on a 2-on-1 a minute in, but Cooper Black set the tone with a sprawling save. The Rivermen took a defensive approach to the game, keeping the Clippers to the outside. It took almost 18 minutes into the first before BCHL All-Star Sean Donaldson put the Clippers up 1-0. Screening the goalie before leaking into the centre of the offensive zone, Donaldson took a pass from Tristan Fraser and fired it over the glove of the Rivermen goalie.
The second period was all defence for both teams. The Clippers were happy to keep the one-goal lead through the duration of the second. Despite Langley mustering 14 shots, Cooper Black would not allow them to score. The only action in the period came after Andrew Noel took a penalty, resulting in a Langley power-play. Nanaimo successfully killed the penalty and wound the clock down to the intermission.
The third period was a departure from the last two. Thirty seconds in, the third star of the game Brody Waters scored his sixth of the playoffs to put the Clippers up 2-0. A pair of minor penalties to both teams resulted in a two-minute 4 on 4. During the 4 on 4, Donaldson whacked a rebound from Brett Merner for his second of the game. A late penalty to the Clippers led to Langley pulling their goalie for a 6-on-4 advantage. However, Kai Daniells sent a 150-foot shot into the open net for a short-handed goal and a 4-0 lead.
Tristan Fraser was named FortisBC Energy Player of Game. Cooper Black, Sean Donaldson and Brody Waters were named the three stars, respectively. After a dominant performance, the Clippers look to take a 2-0 series lead tonight at the Frank Crane Arena. Tickets can be purchased at tickets.Nanaimoclippers.com or at the box office on game day.
Written by Malcolm Cooke.
Recap presented by
