Left picture: #7 Ethan Scardina picks up the puck won by #23 Sammy Steele in the face-off.
Right picture: #30 Jordan Naylor stops the puck and the Coquitlam player from going into the net..
By Dan Marshall
The WOLF 106.9 FM
Reprinted from NanaimoNewsNOW.com
NANAIMO – The Clippers and Express opened up December with a very tight game. It finished 3-0 with the winning goal coming early in the contest, and two Express tallies clinching the game late. Coquitlam scored the only goal of the first period when Connor Gregga snapped a puck behind Jordan Naylor.
Naylor and Express netminder Clay Stevenson were both fantastic in the second period, neither gave up a goal in a scoreless period that featured many dangerous chances. In the third Danny Pearson ripped a shot in from the right wing to provide some insurance and Chase Danol added an empty netter for Coquitlam.
The Clippers were three for three on the penalty kill but they never did get a power play. The final shots were 33-21 in favour of the Express.
Saturday’s Three Stars were Clay Stevenson (21 saves), Connor Gregga (1 goal, 1 assist), and Jordan Naylor (30 saves).
Clipper fans had to wait until the end of the night to participate in the Teddy Bear Toss. There was a good number stuffed animals brought to the rink though that will make their way into the hands of local kids over Christmas.
Coquitlam wins the 2017-18 season series with the Clippers 2-0 as they were also victorious back in October by a 5-2 scoreline.
Nanaimo hits the road for games in Prince George, Merritt, and Langley next weekend looking to snap a three game losing streak.
