The Clippers won 6-4 on the ice in Powell River while off the ice the team put it's coaching staff on temporary leave amid complaint allegations. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Overcoming Distractions

Clippers place coaches on leave amid BCHL investigation, assistants guide team to gritty road win

Feb 12, 2022 | 12:06 AM

POWELL RIVER — A topsy turvy day for the Nanaimo Clippers saw the club win 6-4 against the Kings.

Word spread quickly throughout the day on Feb. 11 about an investigation into code of conduct complaints made against the Clippers organization.

After a coaches and players meeting at the Hap Parker Arena, it was decided head coach Darren Naylor and associate coach Colin Birkas should sit out the game to allow assistants Ken McPhalen and Bob Foglietta to run the bench.

The game against the Kings was a steady stream of two goal runs with the Clippers taking leads of 2-0, 4-2 and ultimately 6-4.

Brody Waters, Max Itagaki, Tristan Fraser, Jake Hewitt, Jeremie Payant and Kai Daniells scored for Nanaimo.

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Jed Baliotti made 30 saves for the victory.

The Clippers extended their season record against the Kings to 9-0 with one more matchup slated for Feb. 12 at 5 p.m. in Powell River.

After the game the Feb. 11 game the Clippers released a statement addressing the situation around their coaches.

“The Nanaimo Clippers ownership group has decided, in order to avoid unnecessary distractions to the players during the stretch drive of the season, to place their coaching staff on temporary leave to allow the BCHL to complete their internal investigation process.”

The team acknowledged a complaint was made in October, but said an internal investigation revealed no wrongdoing.

“We now wish to allow the BCHL to also fully investigate the complaints,” the statement continued.

An interim coaching staff will take over the day to day operations of the team while the league conducts its investigation.

The team asked for privacy during this time.

On Thursday, Feb. 10, the Clippers successfully obtained an injunction to prevent any suspension to Naylor or Birkas.

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