STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.
Two goals by Michael Murtagh and 43 saves from Tyler Hodges led the Clippers to a 5-3 win over the Victoria Grizzlies. (Gary Dorland)
Fourth Place Showdown

Clippers take over sole possession of fourth place with 5-3 win over the Grizzlies

Mar 9, 2024 | 11:24 PM

COLWOOD — The Clippers won their fourth place showdown with the Victoria Grizzlies.

After a 5-3 win at the Q Centre, Nanaimo has 55 points in the Coastal Division standings, two points more than fifth place Victoria,

The Clippers got off to a good start with an Isa Parekh goal a minute and a half into the game and a Michael Murtagh power play marker mid way through the first period.

Nanaimo also outshot the Grizzlies 21-12 in the opening 20 minutes.

Murtagh and Remi Gelinas put the Clippers up 4-0 in the middle frame but a power play marker by Malcolm Green cut the lead to 4-1 before the intermission.

Reegan Hiscock continued the rally just over a minute into the third and then Nanaimo got into some penalty problems.

Sam Boisvert was assessed a controversial goalie interference call and moments later a bench penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct led to a Grizzlies five on three power play,

Nathan King pulled the game to within one but the strong goaltending of Tyler Hodges kept Nanaimo in front until a Luke Buss empty netter capped the scoring at 5-3.

Victoria outshot the Clippers 46-43 while Nanaimo finished 1/2 on the man advantage and 2/4 killing penalties.

At the conclusion of play on March 9 the Clippers were not only two points ahead of the fifth place Grizzlies but just two points back of the third place Alberni Valley Bulldogs.

Nanaimo concludes a busy three game in three day weekend with a home game against the Surrey Eagles at 4 p.m. on March 10.

Local news. Delivered. Free. Subscribe to our daily news wrap and get our top local stories delivered to your email inbox every evening

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW