Captain Michael Craig and his teammates are dialled in on making another strong push for a Fred Page Cup championship. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

On a Mission

VIDEO: Clipper veterans focus on becoming a championship calibre team

Nov 9, 2022 | 11:33 AM

NANAIMO — The ten returning players for the Nanaimo Clippers are on a mission to get back to a second straight BCHL final.

Veterans like Michael Craig and Charles Tardif have winning a championship top of mind even though the current season is just six weeks old.

“We touch on last season a bit more than maybe other teams would have in the past because of the success we’ve had,” Craig said.

“We know what it takes and we know how to play through pain and adversity, at home and on the road.”

The team has come flying out of the gate with a 12-3 record, including a 5-2 win in Victoria and 6-2 setback versus Cranbrook in their most recent outings.

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Tardif admitted he’s already thinking about playoffs and the potential of a rematch with the 2022 Fred Page Cup winners and current BCHL leaders the Penticton Vees.

“Perseverance, playing though injuries, and playing as a team is so important in playoffs. This year our plan is we’re aiming for the cup.”

Nanaimo’s veterans have been leading the way in October and November.

The team’s top seven scorers are all returning veterans with Craig and Tardif sixth and seventh respectively.

Brody Waters and Kai Daniells are the fourth and fifth best scorers in the entire BCHL and Ethan Mistry is number in scoring among defencemen.

A rematch of the 2022 final may never materialize but in early November both Nanaimo and Penticton are at the top of their respective divisions.

Clipper fans won’t get to see the Vees this year, with the only regular season matchup happening on March 17 at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

Nanaimo has a busy week of Island games ahead with home dates against the Capitals and Bulldogs on Nov. 9 and 11 and a trip to Alberni Valley on Nov. 12.

CLIP NOTES:

Leading scorer Brody Waters has committed to the NCAA Division 1 hockey program at Bowling Green University. He’ll join Clipper alumni Ethan Scardina at Bowling Green next season.

The Clippers are in a stretch of five games in eight days between Nov. 5-12. They split the first two contests in Victoria and at home against Cranbrook.

Jake Hewitt was the BCHL’s first star of the week in the last week of October but hasn’t played since Oct. 29 due to a two game suspension. Hewitt was on a run of 13 points in a six game span before the suspension. He’ll be available for Nanaimo’s next game against the Capitals Nov, 9.

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