The Nanaimo Clippers got enough goal scoring, but weren’t able to merely outscore opponent.
The Shipmen earned three out of six points on road trip through the Interior this past weekend. Nanaimo started with a 5-4 win against the Trail Smoke Eaters, lost 5-4 in overtime the next night against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, then got doubled 6-3 by the Merritt Centennials on Sunday afternoon.
On Friday, Sheldon Rempal scored the game-winning goal on the power play with four and a half minutes left to break a 4-4 tie.
Kale Bennett, Brett Roulston, Jake Jackson and Edwin Hookenson were the other goal scorers for the Clippers and Guillaume Decelles was the winning goalie, making 35 saves as shots were 42-39 in favour of the visitors.
The next night’s loss represented a rare overtime setback for the Clippers. Nanaimo had tied the game 4-4 in the third period despite being badly outshot, and surrendered the game-winning goal in the final minute of the first OT frame.
Yanni Kaldis, Jacob Hanlon, Bennett and Anthony Rinaldi scored for the Clippers and Decelles suffered the loss as his team was outshot 45-21.
The third game of the road trip saw the Clippers trying to play from behind after the Centennials built a 2-0 first-period lead. Nanaimo didn’t get it going until the third period when Austin Dick, Brendan Shane and Roulston tallied. Decelles tended goal again as shots ended up 36-28 for the Clips.
GAME ON … The Clippers have two games this coming weekend. They host the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Friday (Jan. 23) at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena, then get a rematch with the Silverbacks on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Frank Crane.
