The Clippers spent the bulk of February playing without five to six key bodies. They begin March in fourth place in the Coastal Division. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Next Man Up

VIDEO: Clippers staying in Coastal Division race despite short bench

Mar 2, 2022 | 9:43 AM

NANAIMO — The Clippers finished the month of February with a 5-4-0-1 record.

They did so missing their top player in each position for several games.’

Assistant coach Ken McPhalen said other players have stepped in to fill the void.

“Given the amount of bodies we have out it’s been absolutely critical. They’ve taken the opportunity presented to them and run with it.”

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Number one goalie Cooper Black played only one game in February with backup Jed Baliotti and affiliate Merik Erickson sharing the crease.

Leading scoring defenceman Michael Craig didn’t get into the lineup in the month while Alek Sukunda missed three games.

Forward Walker Erickson volunteered to take on a dual role playing both forward and defence.

“I played a little bit of D in midget,” Erickson said. “The coaches said they could use me back there and I said absolutely, anything to help out the team.”

Erickson may be called upon again as the Clippers had six players out of the lineup on Feb. 26 and it’s not known yet if any will be back to start March.

Team leading scorer Sean Donaldson appeared in only six games in the month but put up 11 points during that time.

Line mate Tristan Fraser also got into just six contests while Charles Tardif was on the injured list the entire month.

Luca Grabas was assessed a four game suspension during Nanaimo’s game on Feb. 25 and will be unavailable until March 12.

Max Itagaki with 13 points and Brody Waters with nine were two of the key drivers offensively in the Clippers ten games last month.

The hope is Nanaimo will have a fully healthy lineup in time to gel for the playoffs.

March sees the Clippers play nine games as they enter the final four weeks of the season in fourth place in the Coastal Division.

The team’s next action is March 4 and 6 at Frank Crane Arena against Chilliwack and Surrey.

CLIP NOTES:

Goalie Cooper Black returned from the injured list on Feb. 25 to record a 51 save 5-3 win in Langley. He was also named first star.

Coaches Bob Beatty and Ken McPhalen have run the Clippers bench for five games with full time bench bosses Darren Naylor and Colin Birkas on temporary leave. There’s no definitive timeline for when Naylor and Birkas may return.

With full capacity allowed at Frank Crane Arena the Clippers will be holding a free skate with the players after their March 6 game against Surrey. The game starts at 2 p.m. with the skate beginning around 5 p.m.

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