Nanaimo, BC – The Nanaimo Clippers defeated the Chilliwack Chiefs, 2-1 in Overtime on Monday. The Clippers take a decisive 3-0 series lead and look to break out the brooms tomorrow night. Both Clipper goals were scored by Ontario product, Keighan Gerrie. Cooper Black, as he’s done all year, put on an impressive performance. Black stopped 35 out of 36 shots for the win.
The first period started with some playoff intensity, which led to the Clippers getting an early power-play opportunity. Despite a few chances, they couldn’t crack Chiefs goalie Grant Riley. The Clippers got called for a penalty minutes later. Nanaimo’s own Skyler Cameron made two impressive shot blocks to keep the game tied at zero. Shortly after the penalty expired, Sean Donaldson and Keighan Gerrie broke out on a 2-on-1. It took a few whacks, but eventually, Gerrie got the puck through the goaltender to put Nanaimo up 1-0. A slew of penalties in the last five minutes of the period resulted in an extended 4-on-3 power-play for Chilliwack. They managed to score with the extra skating room and tied the game at 1-1.
The second period saw both teams take a more defensive approach, neither side wanting to give up a goal. During one of the few offensive opportunities, Gerrie was hauled down on a partial breakaway. The Clippers buzzed around but were unable to break the deadlock. In the last five minutes of the second, both teams took penalties just after each other resulting in more 4-on-4 play. Neither side would score in the second or the third period.
Despite the third period being scoreless, it wasn’t without action. Kai Daniells put a Chiefs defender on banana peels as he glided around but was unable to put the puck in the net. Towards the end of the third, a frenetic back and forth saw multiple chances from both sides. Three periods of playoff hockey solved nothing, so OT was in order.
The overtime got started with both teams taking a defensive, wait-and-see approach. Keighan Gerrie continued to zip around, getting another chance to end it. While he was denied on his first attempt to end it, Gerrie would not be denied twice. Taking a pass from Sean Donaldson, he fired the puck behind Grant Riley to seal the win.
For his two-goal effort, Gerrie was named the first star of the night. Cooper Black took home the second star. FortisBC Energy Player of the Game went to Skyler Cameron for key blocks throughout the game. The Clippers look to finish off the series tonight at the Frank Crane Arena. Tickets can be purchased at tickets.nanaimoclippers.com or at the Frank Crane Box Office.
Written by Malcolm Cooke.
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