By Dan Marshall

Clippers head to Christmas break after 5-3 win in Coquitlam

Dec 19, 2016 | 6:18 AM

COQUITLAM — A road win had been a long time coming for the Clippers, but it finally came Sunday with a 5-3 win over Coquitlam.

Nanaimo’s previous victory away from home was back on Oct 25 in Cowichan Valley.

The Express have had their own struggles this season as the team with the BCHL’s worst record has now gone 20 games without recording a victory.

In the first period the Clippers started off strong, outshooting Coquitlam 18-3 and getting a goal from affiliate Danny Pion.

Pion was playing in his only game of the weekend for Nanaimo.

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The Clippers owned the second period with goals by Matt Creamer shorthanded, Jamie Collins on the power play, Tristan Crozier, and then Spencer Hewson on the man advantage as well.

Keegan Jones put a goal on the board for the Express after Nanaimo went up 3-0, but Crozier scored his goal 17 seconds later to stop any Coquitlam momentum.

The Express did put a scare into the Clippers with a pair of goals seven seconds apart in the third by Sam Kozlowski and William Lawrence.

However, Nanaimo did an excellent job of locking down the game to preserve the win.

Austin Roden made 20 saves for the victory and Lawson Fenton was busy stopping 46 shots for the Express.

On special teams the Clippers went 2/7 on the power play and 3/3 killing penalties.

They enter the Christmas break with a five point lead over Alberni Valley for the final playoff spot in the Island Division, and trailing the Cowichan Valley Capitals by eight points.

Nanaimo has an 11 day break before visiting the Powell River Kings on Dec 30.

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Sunday’s Three Stars

1) Spencer Hewson 1g 1a

2) Tristan Crozier 1g 2a

3) Sam Kozlowski 1g 1a