Clippers take 1-0 Playoff lead against South Surrey

(left picture) #16 Brody Waters sees his deflection find the back of the net to tie the game at 2-2.
(right picture) #19 Max Itagaki, #11 Alek Sukunda and #22 Skyler Cameron work hard to block shots in front of #30 Conrad Black, late in the third period. 

Nanaimo, BC – The Nanaimo Clippers defeated the Surrey Eagles, 3-2 on Friday. In game one of the first round in the Shaw BCHL Playoffs. A late goal from forward Austin Spiridakis, cemented the Clippers Win and a 1-0 series advantage. BCHL MVP candidate Sean Donaldson and Ontario born Brody Waters scored the first two goals. BCHL goalie of the year candidate Cooper Black stopped 22 of 24 shots he faced in the win.

#18 Austin Spri is stopped on one of his scoring chances.

The first period of game one saw both teams take a defensive approach. Neither team managed to muster many shots, the Clippers got eight shots to the Eagles six. A single penalty was called against the Eagles that represented the only power-play for either side. The Clippers were unable to solve Eagle goalie Max Prazma with the advantage. Despite the lack of scoring, the period was full of energy. Both teams throwing massive open ice hits, a sign that the playoffs have started

After going scoreless, the Clippers opened the scoring twenty seconds into the second period. Centre Jérémie Payant won an offensive zone face off back to Sean Donaldson who ripped a shot over Prazma’s shoulder for a 1-0 lead. Two minutes later the Eagles got a goal from Primo Self to tie the game before some fans could return to their seats from the intermission. Halfway through the period Eagles forward Ben Fontaine scored to give them a 2-1 lead. Despite the playoff atmosphere and physical play from both teams, there was only one power play opportunity through two periods. Just before the horn to end the second, the Eagles had a two on none opportunity that was saved by a sprawling Cooper Black to keep the Clippers within one goal.

#61 Jérémie Payant celebrates #18 Austin Spiridakis’ game winning goal.

The Clippers came into the third period with electricity. Another early scoring chance saw Kai Daniells deke everyone but the post. With twelve minutes to go the Eagles took a holding penalty, giving the home team a power-play with a chance to tie. Ten seconds was all it took for Brody Waters to tie the game at 2-2 in the third period. The game remained tied until, with just under three minutes of play, first star of the game Austin Spiridakis shot the puck off a Surrey defender and into the back of the net for a 3-2 lead. As the horn sounded to signify the Clippers win, the two teams got into a scuffle. This series should be a great matchup.

Clipper goal scorers Austin Spiridakis and Brody Waters were named first and second star, with Eagles forward Primo Self being the third and final star. Michael Craig was named FortisBC Energy Player of the Game. The Nanaimo Clippers look to take a 2-0 series lead on Saturday. Tickets can be purchased at tickets.Nanaimoclippers.com or at the Frank Crane box office.

Written by Malcolm Cooke.

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