The Nanaimo Clippers earned a big divisional win over the first-place Cowichan Valley Capitals with a 4–1 victory on Friday night. Patrick Fortune opened the scoring just over a minute into the game, setting the tone early for Nanaimo. Later in the first, Jack Rimmer doubled the lead after a fast-paced opening period that saw few whistles. Tanner Bruender added his fourth of the season midway through the second to make it 3–0, while goaltender Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau stood tall as Cowichan poured on 21 shots in the frame. The third period turned into a defensive battle, with neither team generating much offense early on. The Capitals finally broke the shutout late, but Seguin-Lescarbeau’s stellar play kept the Clippers in control. With Cowichan pressing and their net empty, captain Nathan Larioza sealed the win with his first BCHL goal — a perfect ending to his debut as team captain. The victory moves Nanaimo closer to the top of the division standings as they look to keep climbing in the weeks ahead.
The Nanaimo Clippers wasted no time getting on the board, opening the scoring just over a minute into the game on a goal from Patrick Fortune. Midway through the period, Nanaimo earned the first power play of the night but couldn’t capitalize. The pace remained high throughout the frame with few stoppages, as both teams traded rushes and scoring chances. Late in the period, the Clippers’ top line extended the lead to 2–0 when Jack Rimmer found the back of the net. A late Cowichan Valley penalty gave Nanaimo their second power play of the night, but they couldn’t convert before the buzzer. The Clippers will start the second period with just over a minute of power play time remaining. After 20 minutes, Nanaimo held a 12-7 shot advantage.
Nanaimo opened the second period with over a minute of carryover power play time but couldn’t add to their lead. Midway through the frame, Tanner Bruender notched his fourth goal of the season to make it 3–0 Clippers. The Clippers then found themselves shorthanded for the first time when captain Nathan Larioza was called for cross-checking. Goaltender Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau stood tall on the penalty kill, turning aside several quality chances to preserve the lead. Cowichan Valley carried much of the play in the second, outshooting Nanaimo 21–10, but Seguin-Lescarbeau’s strong play kept the Clippers in control heading to the third.
The final frame turned into a defensive battle, with neither team registering a shot for the first seven minutes. When the action did pick up, Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau continued his strong play, turning away every chance that came his way. Cowichan Valley eventually spoiled the shutout bid with a goal in the final few minutes, tightening the score. Nanaimo took a late penalty, and the Capitals pressed hard with the man advantage, but Seguin-Lescarbeau held firm once again. With the Cowichan net empty in the closing moments, Nathan Larioza sealed the victory with his first BCHL goal; a fitting finish in his debut game as team captain.
The three stars of the game were awarded to ESL, Tanner Bruender, and Harrison Boldt, respectively. FortisBC Energy Player of the game was earned by Jack Rimmer.
The Clippers head down to Duncan for a rematch with the Capitals on Saturday before going on the road for two games. The next home game is Wednesday, Nov. 19 against the Prince George Spruce Kings. Tickets can be purchased at nanaimoclippers.com or the Frank Crane box office on gameday.
-Malcolm Cooke
