By Dan Marshall

Clippers trail first round series after heated 3-2 loss to the Grizzlies

Mar 8, 2017 | 8:02 AM

NANAIMO — The Clippers have fallen behind 2-1 in their first round series with the Victoria Grizzlies.

Victoria took game three 3-2 at Frank Crane Arena on Tuesday night.

Power play goals provided almost all of the offense in the game with Sean Buchanan opening the scoring for Nanaimo with a man-up early in the first period.

The Grizzlies countered with power play efforts from Cole Pickup and Jamie Rome to lead the game 2-1 after one period.

Lucas Finner converted a cross-ice pass for the fourth power play goal of the night in the second period and the game was even at two goals apiece after 40 minutes.

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The only goal of the third was the game winner and it came 30 seconds into the final frame when Justin Michaelian put home a rebound from a stiff angle behind Evan DeBrouwer.

Nanaimo had a great chance to tie the game late but Matt Creamer’s shot from the left wing was denied on a game-saving stop by Grizzlies goalie Matthew Galajda.

With time running out Victoria’s Brett Stirling hammered Clippers regular season scoring leader Ben Solin as he was coming across the offensive blueline.

Solin left the game and his status is unknown for game four.

Stirling was given a five minute major and will face a suspension for the hit.

The final shots finished 37-36 for Nanaimo with the Clippers going 2/6 on the power play and Victoria finishing 2/2.

Game four will be at Frank Crane Arena on Wednesday night, before the series shifts back to the Q Centre on Friday.

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Tuesday’s Three Stars

1) Justin Michaelian 1g

2) Sean Buchanan 1g 1a

3) Keyvan Mokhtari