CLIPPERS WEEK 1 PREVIEW

Nanaimo Clippers Week 1 Preview

Games
Friday – HOME vs Alberni Valley 7pm
Saturday AWAY @ Cowichan Valley 7pm

Radio: 106.9 the Wolf
Online: HockeyTV.com

 

The Clippers start the season looking to get back their winning ways of 2014-15 and 2015-16. Last season was frustrating at times with the team finishing fourth in the Island Division and falling in five games in the first round of the playoffs to Victoria.

But for the eight players returning from 2016-17 it was a year of growth and should set the table for a strong campaign this time around.

Austin Roden will battle for the starting job, although publicly it’s not known who will start for Nanaimo on Friday in the season opener.

Shawn Guison had a solid rookie year and is looking strong as part of a defensive pair with newcomer Jordan Wharrie.

Up front it’s easy to see the likes of Crozier, Collins, Harris, Millette, Silye, and Lynn all putting up improved numbers in their second seasons in Nanaimo.

Veterans Brad Belisle and Parker Colley appear poised to play significant roles on the team this year and young players like Brodziak and Maser up front, and Pirko and Heinold on the back end have shown tremendous potential.

Potential is a good word to describe the Clippers youngest player as well. Max Crozier will suit up with his older brother Tristan, and is already garnering attention from NCAA scouts.

Game 1 is against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Friday. Last season Nanaimo owned the season series with a 5-1-0-2 record, they also took the head to head preseason meeting 4-1 on August 26.

106.9 The Wolf is the game night sponsor Friday and there are fun game night activities scheduled like a ‘Zorb’ race and blimp prize drops.

It’s also Emergency Services Appreciation Night with anyone who works or volunteers with police, fire, ambulance, or SARS getting a free ticket.

Saturday the Clippers will travel to Duncan to play in the Cowichan Valley Capitals home opener. The Clippers had a successful record of 5-2-0-1 against the Caps last season and will look to keep that going in the Big Stick on September 9.

 

Clippers stats as of Sept 5th:

NANAIMO – 4-1 (preseason)

4th in Island Division (last season)

HOME – 3-0 (preseason)
ROAD – 1-1 (preseason)

Last Game – 9-6 loss @ Victoria – Collins and Harris with 2 goals

Streak – 1 loss

Top Scorer – Ben Solin – 39pts (last season)

Season Series – 5-1-0-2 (last season)

OT Record – 5-6-1 (last season)

GF – 146 (last season)
GA – 199 (last season)

PP – 15th – 16.9% (last season)
PK – 4th – 82.9% (last season)

NCAA
Jamie Collins – Clarkson
Ben Pirko – Union College
Brad Belisle – Bemidji State
Jack MacNab – Notre Dame