By Dan Marshall

Clippers late comeback falls short against Vernon

Oct 3, 2016 | 8:21 AM

NANAIMO — The Clippers couldn’t build on Saturday’s impressive win against Coquitlam when they faced the Vernon Vipers on Sunday.
 
Nanaimo lost 5-3 in a game they trailed 5-0 in the third period.
 
Vernon scored twice on a four minute spearing penalty to Sean Buchanan in the first period with goals by Brett Stapley and Christian Cakebread.
 
Neither team could beat goalies Ty Taylor or the Clippers Evan DeBrouwer in the second period, but the Vipers took control of the game on an early goal by Jagger Williamson in the third.
 
Vernon would add a tally by Levi Johnson, and Cakebread scored his second power play goal of the afternoon to give the Vipers an insurmountable lead.
 
Matt Kowalski scored his second goal in as many games on a Nanaimo power play to start a late rally, and then Adam Donnelly scored his first as a Clipper short after.
 
Ben Solin converted in close in the game’s final minute but the Vipers picked up their second win of the season against Nanaimo in the end.
 
The Clippers outshot Vernon 27-26 but the Vipers won the special teams battle going 3/5 versus Nanaimo’s 1/5.
 
On the Thanksgiving Day long weekend the Clippers host Trail on Friday and Powell River Saturday.
 
They now have a 1-1 record in a very busy 12 game month of October.
 
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Sunday’s Three Stars
 
1) Brett Stapley 1g 1a
 
2) Christian Cakebread 2g
 
4) Riley Brandt 1a