The Clippers Cole Lonsdale has regained his scoring touch with four goals and an assist in back-to-back games against Cowichan Valley. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Lonsdale Producing

VIDEO: Clippers’ Lonsdale sees offensive resurgence

Feb 29, 2024 | 1:54 PM

NANAIMO — Clippers forward Cole Lonsdale had been waiting since the new year to re-discover his goal scoring touch.

The 18-year-old had 14 goals through the 2023 portion of his year but had to wait until Friday, Feb. 23 to light the lamp in 2024.

Lonsdale scored two goals and added an assist in a 4-2 win over Cowichan Valley on Friday and picked up another two goals in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Capitals the following night.

The Ontario native believes he can return to being a consistent goal scorer for the Clippers.

“It was a good weekend for me personally. It was good to get the monkey off my back in the first game and gain a little confidence, so hopefully it continues moving forward a little bit.”

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Lonsdale has transitioned from playing left wing to centre.

Although it’s a new role on the Clippers he’s been a centreman much of his career.

“I’m pretty comfortable there and I knew the game I had to play. I’ve got to be a little more responsible in the D zone obviously and be strong in the middle of the ice. It’s not a big change but a little one for sure.”

Lonsdale has been spending a lot of time working on his offensive game and he’s happy to see it paying off.

“It’s something I’ve worked on a lot lately. It was important for me to find those quiet areas, get to those dirty areas in front of the net and look for those opportunities. It was good I was able to find them.”

One of Lonsdale’s best attributes is his skating.

Playing on a line with fellow speedster Joel Plante, he believes their high-tempo game will present a challenge to opposing defences.

“We’re both pretty quick players, we can make plays on the rush at a fast pace. In order to find success against good strong defencemen we’re going to have to use our speed to create some offense.”

Lonsdale and the Clippers have a difficult week of road games, which began with a 3-0 shutout in Chilliwack against the Chiefs on Wednesday, Feb. 28.

The three-game trip continues in Coquitlam on Friday, March 1 and in Surrey on Saturday, March 2.

“We know they’re all good teams but we know how strong we are as well. We’re trying to make a statement here getting into playoffs to make a push up the standings ourselves and let people know that we can play.”

CLIP NOTES:

The Clippers have a steady dose of mainland opposition to close out their season. In their final 12 games Nanaimo plays Surrey four times, Chilliwack three times, Langley twice and Coquitlam once. Their only other games are on the road in Victoria and Vernon.

Nanaimo’s Feb. 28 game in Chilliwack was the first game against his former team for Dylan Kinch. The Clippers also faced ex-teammate Willyam Gendron for the first time since the two swapped teams on Jan. 25. Gendron recorded one assist in the win.

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