Scardina gets the winner in Clippers 4-3 win over the Vipers

Sep 20, 2018 | 8:06 PM

CHILLIWACK — The Clippers were gritty and resilient in a 4-3 overtime win over the Vernon Vipers on Thursday at the BCHL Showcase.

The first period was extremely entertaining with the two teams exchanging four goals.

Nanaimo took a penalty five seconds into the game, but it was the Clippers who opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal from Mackenzie Merriman in the opening minute.

Vernon evened the game at 1-1 on a close in chance for Logan Cash.

Aiden Hansen-Bukata got credit for the goal that put the Clippers up 2-1, but he admitted a rebound from a Merriman chance bounced in off a Vipers defender.

Once again Vernon tied it up thanks to a Josh Latta goal before the end of the first.

The game tightened up considerably after that.

Logan Cash got his second goal of the game when he beat Landon Pavlisin on a power play deflection in the middle frame. 

Jonathan Stein scored the only goal of the third period on a breakaway, it was his first goal since being acquired from the Cowichan Valley Capitals in the offseason.

At the :39 second mark of three on three OT Ethan Scardina ripped a high shot behind Aidan Hosein to give Nanaimo their second win of the year.

Vernon outshot Nanaimo 31-20 with the Vipers going 1/8 on the power play and the Clippers finishing 0/4.

The Three Stars were 1) Logan Cash (2g) Mackenzie Merriman (2g) and Josh Bourne (1a)

Nanaimo plays West Kelowna at 1 p.m. on Friday before returning home to play the Victoria Grizzlies at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On twitter: @danmarshall77