The Clippers sit at 7-5 on the season with a trio of road games on tap Nov. 10-13.  (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Moving Forward

VIDEO: Clippers looking for winning recipe from within and through trade market

Nov 9, 2021 | 6:28 PM

NANAIMO — The Clippers went 1-2 in a three game week and now look to make a charge up the standings in their busiest month of the season.

Nanaimo played from behind in their last three games but came back strong to beat Cowichan 6-3 on Wednesday, Nov. 3.

Against Penticton on Friday, Nov. 5, the Vees pulled away in the late second period and won 7-3 and the Clippers were shutout 3-0 the night after in their most recent outing in Alberni Valley.

Coach Darren Naylor preached consistency as the way to get back in the win column.

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“We’ve got to work on being sharp for 60 minutes and competing at a high level. We also have to get into more high traffic areas, I think we have a tendency to sometimes play on the outside too much.”

An injury to Keighan Gerrie and a suspension levied against Brody Waters has left the Clippers shorthanded up front.

Naylor said missing those key players has take on a toll on offensive production.

“Gerrie is on of our top players from all the stats we keep and Brody Waters was just coming into his own. It’s a huge loss for us.

Players like Jake Hewitt, who has two goals in his last three games and Austin Spiridakis, who has seen his ice time elevated recently will need to pick up some of the slack.

Meanwhile, Nanaimo has also added veteran scoring on the trade front.

Walker Erickson joins the team from the Merritt Centennials in a trade for Luke Lavery.

The 19-year-old had three points in eight games before being acquired by the Clippers.

Naylor expects Erickson to be an important ingredient for success in the next phase of the season.

“He’s a power forward. He’s going to be on the puck and go to those high traffic areas. Walker is also a strong skater with a heavy shot.”

Erickson will make his Clippers debut Wednesday, Nov. 10 on the road in Cowichan Valley.

“I can’t wait. I’m ready to go,” Erickson said. “The guys have been great and I’m excited the coaches here really want to win.”

The Clippers also have road games over the following weekend in Surrey and Langley.

CLIP NOTES:

The Clippers traded the rights of 2001 born forward Alex Morozoff to the Humboldt Broncos of the SJHL for future considerations on Nov. 8.

With games Nov. 10-13 on the road only five of Nanaimo’s first 15 games will have been played at Frank Crane Arena.

Brody Waters will return to action Nov. 13 after being assessed a three game suspension after a major penalty for a blow to the head Nov. 5 against Penticton.

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