Nanaimo, BC – The Nanaimo Clippers fell to the visiting Langley Rivermen 6-5 in overtime on Friday. Clippers forward Cole Hansen scored his first two goals of the year in the loss. Jérémie Payant logged three assists for another strong game.
Cole Hansen got the game started early with a goal less than three minutes into the first period to put the Clippers up 1-0. After the quick start, both teams locked down defensively. Each team had two power-play opportunities, which didn’t amount to any goals for either side. A very evenly paced period resulted in 11 shots for Nanaimo and 10 for Langley.
The second period provided more action than the first. Minnesota born Cole Hansen scored his second goal of the game to put the Clippers up 2-0. Hansen tapped home the rebound after Jérémie Payant launched a shot off the crossbar that stayed out. Rivermen defender Steve Sielsky was penalized for cross-checking seven minutes into the period, but the Rivermen still managed to score on a short handed two on one to cut the Clippers lead in half. Seconds later, goalie Cooper Black made a tremendous cross crease save to keep the game 2-1 Clippers. After the Rivermen penalty had expired, All-Star forward Sean Donaldson followed his own rebound to score his 31st goal of the season and put the Clippers up 3-1. Despite another solid defensive period for the Clippers, Langley was able to score one late to make it a 3-2 game heading into the third. A kerfuffle after the buzzer sounded to end the period resulted in two 10 minute misconducts for Nanaimo’s Jack O’Brien and Brody Waters.
The third period started the same way the other two had, with an early Clippers goal. This time from Army commit Jake Hewitt to regain a two goal lead. The Clippers held the lead for eight minutes before a barrage of three Rivermen goals led to the Clippers being down one goal with less than ten minutes to play. Tristan Fraser scored four minutes after the last Rivermen goal to tie the game up at 5-5. The score would stay that way until the end of the period, resulting in overtime. Just before the horn sounded to go into overtime, the Rivermen took a hooking call that would see the Clippers start overtime with an advantage.
Unfortunately, the Clippers were unable to score with the extra player. The Rivermen ended the game shortly after the penalty expired to lock up a 6-5 victory.
For their efforts, Cole Hansen and Jérémie Payant were named second and third star, respectively. FortisBC Energy Player of Game went to Sean Donaldson for his two point night. The Clippers head to Victoria on Saturday for a matchup against their Island Division rival Grizzlies. The Clippers are back at home this Wednesday, March 16th for a St. Patrick’s Day Pre Party. Tickets can be purchased at nanaimoclippers.com or at the Frank Crane Box office on game day.
Written by Malcolm Cooke.
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