The Clippers took a 4-3 overtime decision over the Surrey Eagles to increase their lead to six points over Surrey atop the Coastal Division standings. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

First Place Showdown

Clippers win OT thriller 4-3 over Eagles

Jan 13, 2023 | 10:20 PM

NANAIMO — The clash of the top two teams in the Coastal Division lived up to the billing with the first place Clippers beating the second place Eagles 4-3 in overtime.

Three times Nanaimo trailed by one, but they got the goal that mattered most two minutes into OT.

Ryden Evers opened the scoring on a Surrey power play and the Eagles led for most of the opening 20 minutes.

Jeremie Payant evened the game for the Clippers for 48 seconds before Tate Taylor gave Surrey the lead back.

Of note in the first period Kai Daniells, Nanaimo’s leading scorer, had to sit out 12 minutes for a blow to the head minor and a misconduct.

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Daniells scored early in the second period, and then Surrey’s Jacob Bonkowski and the Clippers Michael Murtagh traded goals to send the game tied 3-3 to the final frame.

Nanaimo goalie Aidan Campbell and Eagles netminder Eli Pulver kept it that way until overtime.

The Eagles had a four minute power play that spanned late in regulation and early into the extra session, once again with Kai Daniells off, but failed to score.

Willyam Gendron sped in off the right win to tuck the game winner through Pulver’s legs two minutes into overtime.

Gendron’s goal was his sixth in a six game span.

The final shots finished 38-24 for the Clippers.

Nanaimo went 0/2 on the man advantage and 2/3 killing penalties.

With the season series now concluded the Clippers finished 2-2 against Surrey.

The 2508 people in attendance was a season high at Frank Crane Arena with the game announced as a sellout.

Nanaimo heads into a Jan. 15 game against the Langley Rivermen with a six point lead at the top of the Coastal Division.

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