Kyler Kovich and Josh Bourne each had two goals in Nanaimo's 6-5 loss in Surrey. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Goalfest Versus Eagles

Clippers fall one goal short in 6-5 loss to Eagles

Feb 9, 2020 | 9:56 PM

SURREY – The Clippers spent most of the game battling back against the Surrey Eagles in a 6-5 loss.

Surrey scored first and never trailed en route to the victory which also gave them a win in the season series as well with two victories and one loss.

The game was even after the first period on goals from Kieran O’Hearn and then a tying marker by the Clippers Josh Kagan.

Surrey forged ahead thanks to a power play goal by Cristophe Tellier early in the second but Kyler Kovich knotted it up 13 seconds later.

But the Eagles added two crucial goals before the end of the second period, a shorthanded tally by Hudson Schandor and a goal with just four seconds left credited to Carter King.

off the schedule

BC Ferries preemptively cancels early Saturday sailings

1h ago

firm handshake

B.C. NDP government, Greens reach 'shared priorities' agreement

3h ago

young volunteers

'Make a big difference:' Nanaimo volunteers collecting warm clothing for those in need

5h ago

Josh Bourne’s power play goal narrowed the gap to 4-3 eight minutes into the final period, but Brett Bliss fired home a point shot 28 seconds later to restore the two goal lead.

Kovich’s second of the game gave the Clippers some life but a power play marker by Brandon Santa Juana raised the score to 6-4 for the home team.

Nanaimo pulled goalie Jordan Naylor in the late stages and Bourne ripped home a quick shot to make it 6-5, but they were unable to tie it.

The shots finished 38-29 for Surrey with the Eagles going 2/3 on the power play and the Clippers finishing 1/2.

At the end of the weekend Nanaimo was five points behind the Cowichan Valley Capitals for first in the Island Division.

Those two teams will go head to head at Frank Crane Arena on Valentine’s Day.

Nanaimo’s remaining games are all within the division with two against the Capitals, two versus the Bulldogs and one against Powell River.

dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On twitter: @danmarshall77