The Nanaimo Clippers got one of the wins they need in Round 3 of the B.C. Hockey League playoffs.
The Clippers defeated the West Kelowna Warriors 4-1 on Thursday night in the Okanagan.
Matt Hoover scored the game-winning goal midway through the third period, powering his way out of the corner into the slot and getting a backhander past Warriors goalie Matthew Greenfield.
The goal came against the flow of play as Clippers goalie Evan Johnson made a series of big saves at the other end of the ice right before Hoover’s marker.
The teams traded goals late in the first period, as West Kelowna’s Connor Sodergren opened the scoring and then Nanaimo’s Sheldon Rempal responded three minutes later, redirecting in a shot.
With a minute left in the third, Hoover and then Rempal scored goals into an empty net to ice the win.
Johnson was chosen first star as his team was outshot 38-35.
GAME ON … The Clippers play the Chilliwack Chiefs on Saturday (April 2) at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena. The teams will then play a rematch Monday in the Fraser Valley. So far in Round 3, the Clippers (1-0) and the Warriors (1-1) have the edge on the Chiefs (0-1).
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
