Nanaimo closed out its final home game of 2025 with a 2–0 loss to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, despite controlling long stretches of play and generating consistent pressure throughout the night. The Clippers were tested early, killing off multiple penalties in the opening period, but a late power-play goal allowed the Bulldogs to take a 1–0 lead after 20 minutes. Special teams played a major role as Nanaimo was forced to weather repeated penalty kills while also struggling to convert on its own chances with the man advantage. Alberni Valley added to its lead early in the second period, scoring just 12 seconds into a power play to make it 2–0. Nanaimo responded with four consecutive power plays, including a brief five-on-three, but was unable to solve the Bulldogs’ penalty kill or goaltender. The Clippers continued to push in the third, starting the period on a power play and creating several quality looks, including a strong chance from Jordan Geike. Despite sustained pressure and another late power-play opportunity, the Clippers couldn’t find a breakthrough. Nanaimo closed the game by killing off four straight penalties, but the early goals held up as Alberni Valley skated away with the shutout victory.
Nanaimo faced early adversity five minutes into the game when they were assessed their first penalty, but the Clippers’ penalty kill held strong to keep the game scoreless. Midway through the frame, Alberni Valley took a penalty of their own, giving Nanaimo a power play. Despite the man advantage, it was the Bulldogs who generated the most dangerous opportunity, breaking in shorthanded and ringing a shot off the post. Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau came up big moments later with a cross-crease save, and during the ensuing scramble, Will Subject helped clear the danger by swatting a loose rebound safely into the corner. Nanaimo was then tagged with a second late penalty, and Alberni Valley capitalized before the period expired to take a 1–0 lead after 20 minutes. Shots on goal favored Nanaimo 12–8.
Alberni Valley nearly doubled their lead early in the second as the Bulldogs struck the post, but the puck stayed out. Nanaimo was then handed its third penalty of the game, and Alberni Valley needed just 12 seconds on the power play to convert, extending the lead to 2–0. The momentum swung shortly after as the Clippers were awarded four straight power-play opportunities, many coming back-to-back, including a brief two-man advantage, but they were unable to find a way past the Bulldogs’ penalty kill. In the latter half of the period, Nanaimo faced its fourth penalty kill and successfully kept Alberni Valley off the scoreboard. The Clippers earned their sixth power play late in the frame, setting up a man advantage to begin the third period. Shots were even at 12–12 in the second.
Despite beginning the third period on the power play, Nanaimo was unable to cut into the deficit. Jordan Geike came close to getting the Clippers on the board but was ultimately turned aside. Nanaimo later earned its eighth power-play opportunity of the night, though it was quickly erased by a Clippers penalty, which was then offset by an Alberni Valley bench minor after the whistle. The Clippers continued to push and nearly broke through late in the period, but a sprawling save from the Bulldogs’ goaltender kept the shutout intact. Nanaimo was then assessed four straight penalties to close out the game and managed to kill off each one, but the Clippers were unable to generate any offense and fell 2–0.
Bulldogs players swept the three stars of the game. Justin Collins was named the FortisBC Energy Player of the Game.
The Clippers go on the road to face the Victoria Grizzlies on Saturday, December 20th, in their final game of 2025. The Clippers return home to the Frank Crane Arena on Friday, January 9. Tickets can be purchased at nanaimoclippers.com or the Frank Crane box office on gameday. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Clipper fans.
-Malcolm Cooke
