With two narrow one goal victories on the road the Clippers finished a four game sweep of Alberni Valley in the opening round of the BCHL playoffs. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Clips sweep Dogs

Clippers weekly wrap Mar. 3-5

Mar 9, 2020 | 7:17 PM

NANAIMO – The Clippers four year drought of playoff series wins is over.

The Island Division’s number one seed downed the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in four straight games to advance to the division final series.

After back to back 6-3 wins at Frank Crane Arena the series shifted to Port Alberni where tight defensive play took over.

In Game 3 on Mar. 3, Nanaimo never trailed and Aiden Hansen-Bukata’s point shot off the post was the game winner in a 3-2 decision.

In the series finale Ethan Scardina had a last minute goal in the second period and set up Tim Washe’s game winner early in the third to give the Clippers a 2-1 win.

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Nanaimo’s overall numbers against the Bulldogs were exceptionally good in the 2019-20 campaign. In a total of 12 regular season and playoff meetings the Clippers went 10-1-0-1.

The series win was the first since Nanaimo won the Island Division championship over the Powell River Kings in 2016.

It also marks the fifth victory in seven all time matchups with Alberni where the Clippers have take captured a playoff round.

The 2020 Island Division final pits the top two teams against each other.

Nanaimo and Cowichan Valley were separated by just one point in the regular season. The Capitals won five of the eight head to head matchups, but home teams were dominant with the Clippers going 3-1 and Cowichan cruising to a 4-0 record at the Cowichan Community Centre.

CLIP NOTES:

The series schedule sees Games 1 and 2 at Frank Crane Arena on Mar. 13 and 14 with Games 3 and 4 slated for Duncan on Mar. 17 and 18. The remaining games would go Mar. 20, 22 and 24.

Nanaimo won three of the final four regular season contests against Cowichan Valley.

The two rivals have only ever played in five all time series with Nanaimo winning four in 1981, 2002, 2005, and 2007. Cowichan won the last matchup in 2009.

dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On twitter: @danmarshall77