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Clippers fall to Bulldogs despite wide edge in shots

Sep 1, 2016 | 6:59 AM

NANAIMO — The Nanaimo Clippers did so many things right on Wednesday night, but could get the result they were looking for against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
 
Despite being outshot by the Clippers in the first period the Bulldogs took a 3-0 lead to the dressing room.
 
Willie Daignault knocked a rebound out of mid air, Paul Luebke’s point shot riccocheted in, and Ryan Finnegan snapped a wrist shot by Austen Roden on a partial breakaway.
 
Tristan Bukovec extended the lead to 4-0 early in the second, before Nanaimo really took over.
 
DJ Petruzzelli walked through the offensive zone to snap a shot behind Brody Claeys, and then after a Bulldogs goaltending change Adam Donnelly banged a loose puck behind John Hawthorne, and David Silye slid a puck just over the goal line on a play that was reviewed by the officials.
 
The Clippers outshot the Bulldogs 21-4 in the second period.
 
In the third Nanaimo had a number of good chances but it was Jake Wilhelm who got the key goal for Alberni Valley, his point shot snuck by Roden and stood up to be the game winner.
 
Shawn Guison pulled the game closer in the last minute but the final score was 5-4, despite the Clippers outshooting the Bulldogs 49-15.
 
The result leaves Nanaimo 0-3 in the preseason with two exhibition games left Friday and Saturday against the Grizzlies.
 
Meanwhile Alberni is 2-2 after back to back wins over the Clippers.
 
These two teams will meet again in the BCHL season opener Friday September 9th at Frank Crane Arena.
 
Nanaimo’s home game against Victoria is a 7pm start Friday, with the exhibition finale against Vic in Sooke Saturday at 6:30pm.