The Clippers built up a 5-1 record on primarily road games the first month of the season. They'll wrap up October going to the eastern most cities in the BCHL in Trail and Cranbrook. (Gary Dorland)
Travelling Show

VIDEO: Lack of home cooking not halting Clippers early season form

Oct 25, 2021 | 7:04 PM

NANAIMO — The first placed Clippers have a 5-1 record despite spending most of October on the road.

The team has already been to Powell River and Chilliwack for overnight stays and will end October in Trail and Cranbrook.

During the Clippers most recent trip to the BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack they lost 4-1 to Salmon Arm and beat Coquiltam 3-2 in overtime.

The Clippers Highlight Reel for Oct. 21-22 features games against Salmon Arm and Coquitlam at the BCHL Showcase.

Team captain Jack O’Brien said the time on the road has created a tight knit group..

“When you spend all that time in the bus and at the hotel it brings everybody together. We’re a really close team, I feel like I’ve been with these guys a long time, not just a month.”

After a home game on Wednesday, Oct. 27 against Alberni Valley the Clippers go as far east as possible in the BCHL.

The team will play in Trail on Friday, Oct. 29 and make their first ever trip to play the Cranbrook Bucks the following night.

Coach Darren Naylor is looking forward to the 921 kilometre journey to Cranbrook.

“I personally have a lot of family up there so it will be fun to see them. It’s a nice arena as well with a great setup. It will be good for our guys.”

Six of the first nine games of the season will be away from home but veteran Keighan Gerrie is happy to get road games in early.

“I like being on the road early because at the end of the season we’ll be at home more when the body is starting to feel a bit more fatigue. We won’t have to travel as much and I like that.”

Alex Morozoff joined the Clippers from the travel heavy Western Hockey this past summer.

He noted that while the trip to Trail and Cranbrook may be long, it won’t compare to the longest trip he ever spent in the WHL.

“When I was in Red Deer we were doing our US road trip. We drove 12 hours to just outside Everett and the road got shut down. Then we had to spend 36 hours with the bus not moving. The whole trip lasted almost 50 hours. It was quite the experience.”

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