Nanaimo, BC – The Nanaimo Clippers beat the Surrey Eagles, 7-4 on Saturday. The Clippers retain their home ice advantage and take a 2-0 series lead before heading to Surrey for 2 games. The Clippers were led by two goals from Quebec born Jérémie Payant as well as a 38 save performance from goalie Cooper Black. Despite letting Surrey take 22 shots in the second period, the Clippers defence kept the Eagles from generating any sustained offensive pressure.
The first period got off to a fast-paced start. The Clippers got an early power-play chance less than two minutes into the game but were unable to score. The Eagles opened the scoring shortly after the penalty expired to take an early 1-0 lead. The lead was short lived, league MVP candidate Sean Donaldson countered a minute later with a goal of his own, on the power-play, to tie the game at 1-1. More defensive, playoff style hockey followed. On the Clippers first 5 on 5 shot attempt, Jérémie Payant scored his first of the game to give the Clippers their first lead. Just before time expired, Payant potted his second goal of the game to take a 3-1 lead into the first intermission.
Nanaimo started the second period on the penalty kill but got bailed out by multiple Cooper Black spectacular saves. After the Clipper penalty expired, Minnesota product Cole Hansen took a stretch pass from Andrew Noel down the sideboards and shot his first goal of the playoffs into the back of the net. The Eagles cut the lead to 4-2 halfway through the period. After surviving a barrage of Eagles shots, fan favourite Brody Waters had his shot tipped by Kai Daniells to give the Clippers a 5-2 lead. Later, A slew of penalties resulted in Surrey having a 4 on 3 power-play, on which they scored to make a 5-3 game. The Clippers headed into the intermission again with a two-goal lead.
The third period started with a Surrey goalie change, Eli Pulver came in relief of Max Prazma, who had allowed 5 goals on 21 shots to that point. The Clippers held the Eagles to only two shots in the first ten minutes of the third. The Eagles were able to score one more with less than five minutes to play to make the game interesting, but two quick Clipper goals from Daniells and Waters ended any Eagles comeback hopes. The Clipper defence was able to keep Surrey to the outside most of the period, and Cooper Black made all the necessary saves to seal a win.
Payant and Donaldson were named first and second star, with Jacob Bonkowski taking third star. FortisBC Energy Player of the Game was awarded to Jake Hewitt. The Clippers now head to Surrey looking to sweep the first round series. If Game 5 is necessary it will be on Friday, April 8. Tickets will be up for sale the day following a potential loss and can be purchased at tickets.nanaimoclippers.com or at the Frank Crane box office.
Written by Malcolm Cooke.
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