Clippers can’t overcome slow start, lose 5-4 in Surrey

Feb 17, 2019 | 6:30 PM

SURREY – The Clippers dropped the final game of their weekend road trip 5-4 to the Eagles.

A rough start put the Clippers in a hole with Surrey getting a goal from Pearce Messer on the power play, a tip in by Cole Edgerton, and a breakaway effort by Jeremy Smith to go down 3-0 in the first eight minutes.

Brandon Santa Juana made it 4-0 before Josh Bourne responded with a wicked shot on the man advantage to put the score to 4-1 after one.

Matthew McKim beat Jordan Naylor up high on a second period power play to put Surrey up 5-1 before the Clippers took over the rest of the period.

Hunor Torzsok scored on a tip in, Marcus Mitchell finished a beautiful passing play with Tyler Williams, and Josh Bourne sniped his second power pay goal of the game to narrow the gap to 5-4 after 40 minutes.

That was as close as Nanaimo would get as they couldn’t beat Cayden Bailey the rest of the way, despite the Clippers outshooting Surrey 43-25.

On the power play the Clippers went 2/6 and Surrey was 3/4.

Sunday’s Three Stars were Matthew McKim (1g 3a), Josh Bourne (1g 2a), and Riley Hayles (3a).

Nanaimo has two games left, both against a potential first round playoff opponent.

Friday the Clippers visit Victoria, and Saturday they host Powell River.

 

dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On twitter: @danmarshall77