The Nanaimo Clippers have taken points in each of their last five games and are hopeful of a long playoff run after the team's depth was put on display recently. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Getting Playoff Ready

VIDEO: Clippers optimistic about playoffs after recent strong results

Mar 16, 2022 | 9:17 AM

NANAIMO — The Clippers are on a run of five straight games with a point in the standings, highlighted by a 4-2 road win over the Bulldogs.

The team recorded home victories over Chilliwack and Surrey to start March, then lost back to back 6-5 overtime games to Langley and Victoria before their triumph over Alberni Valley.

Players and coaches felt the win against the Bulldogs, the number one team in the division and the best home ice club, was crucial. Defenceman Andrew Noel was said it was an emotional game.

“There was something about the win in Alberni this weekend that was really special.”

Nanaimo won the regular season series 5-2 and coach Bob Foglietta said a big part of the recipe lately has been utilizing the full roster.

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“Our win in Alberni was a good test of our depth against a team we could meet down the road in the playoffs.”

Nanaimo could still finish first in the Coastal Division with four games remaining.

Leading scorer Sean Donaldson admitted he is watching the standings.

“We have a really good chance to move up in the standings. It’s out of our control what other teams do but for us we just focus on ourselves. The points last weekend were big.”

The Clippers are 30-16-3-1 and in third place with a busy week on the horizon.

They play Victoria at home on March 16 and then Nanaimo is in Cowichan Valley on March 19 and back home to Coquitlam on March 20.

CLIP NOTES:

Forwards Tristan Fraser and Sean Donaldson were both named runners up for the BCHL 3 Stars of the Week.

Donaldson has 12 points in a seven game point streak, and also has goals in three straight games.

Fraser has six goals and four assists in a five game point streak.

The Clippers are one of only six BCHL to record at least 30 wins this season. It’s the 29th time in franchise history Nanaimo has reached that mark.

Nanaimo is 11-5-2 against Vancouver Island teams this season. When adding in division opponent Powell River the Clippers are 21-5-2 versus their most traditional rivals.

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Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW