The Nanaimo Clippers collected a handful of points as they zero in on a division title.
The Clips won two games and tied another this past weekend in B.C. Hockey League action. Nanaimo defeated the Surrey Eagles 5-1 on Friday at Frank Crane Arena, beat the Cowichan Valley Capitals 5-2 the next night in Duncan, then earned a 2-2 draw with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks on Sunday back at Frank Crane.
“I think we’ve been playing pretty good,” said Mike Vandekamp, Clippers coach, after Sunday’s game. “I don’t think this was our best game today overall, but I like the way we played on the weekend. I especially liked the way we played [Saturday] night, and Friday, I thought we played solid hockey.”
Both teams Sunday were playing their third game in three days and Vandekamp said his team was a little tired. Still, Nanaimo players were able to create scoring opportunities but were stymied by Salmon Arm’s goalie Angus Redmond who made 46 saves.
“I thought we lacked a little bit of killer instinct early in that game,” Vandekamp said. “We had them down, we had lots of opportunities on the power play.”
Corey Renwick and Matt Hoover scored first-period goals and Evan Johnson made 29 saves.
The night before, Hoover scored a pair of goals and Charley Borek, Spencer Hewson and Nolan Aibel were the other scorers for Nanaimo. Johnson made 37 saves for the win.
On Friday, the Clippers had an easy time, outshooting the Eagles 54-17. Devin Brosseau scored two goals and Sheldon Rempal, Hoover and Chris Dodero had Nanaimo’s other markers. Jakob Walter was the winning goalie.
GAME ON … The Clippers are back on the ice on Wednesday (Jan. 27) for a road game against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Next home action is Friday, when the Victoria Grizzlies visit Frank Crane Arena for a 7 p.m. faceoff.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
