Nanaimo suffered their first regulation defeat since Nov. 20 with a 6-2 setback to the Surrey Eagles. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Post Christmas Blues

Clippers fall 6-2 to Surrey in return from holiday break

Dec 30, 2022 | 11:43 PM

NANAIMO — The Clippers lost some of their lead atop the Coastal Division with a 6-2 road loss to the second place Surrey Eagles.

An early breakaway goal four minutes into the game by Willyam Gendron seemed to have the Clippers on their way but Surrey turned the tables to take a 3-1 first period lead.

Two of the Eagles goals came in a 35 second span to stake them to the two goal advantage.

Nanaimo went down 4-1 one five minutes into the middle frame, which also brought on a goaltending change.

Starter Aidan Campbell was pulled in favour of Shane Shelest.

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Surrey added another two goals before the intermission and were in full command heading into the third period.

A tip in by Nanaimo’s Tyler Wishart was the only goal in the final twenty minutes.

Surrey had big performances from Aaron Schwartz with two goals and two assists, and Jacob Bonkowski and Tate Taylor who both had a goal plus an assist.

Eli Pulver made 28 saves for the win as the Eagles outshot the Clippers 45-30.

The loss narrows the Clippers lead in the Coastal Division standings to four points.

It was also Nanaimo’s first regulation loss since a 6-5 set back in Surrey on Nov. 20.

Since then the Clippers had gone on a run of 7-0-1.

Nanaimo has one more game to wrap up 2022, a 2:30 p.m. matinee on New Year’s Eve in Langley.

The season series finale between the Clippers and Eagles is slated for Jan. 13 at Frank Crane Arena.

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