The Nanaimo Clippers post season came to an end in Game 5 against the Victoria Grizzlies. Nanaimo lost the final game 3-0 at the Q Centre. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Season Over

Clippers blanked 3-0 in decisive Game 5 in series with Grizzlies

Apr 12, 2024 | 11:38 PM

NANAIMO — The Clippers playoff run is over after a 3-0 loss to the Grizzlies in Game 5 at the Q Centre.

Victoria won the best of seven 4-1 with Nanaimo’s lone victory a 5-3 triumph at home on April 9.

In the clinching game the Grizzlies outshot the Clippers 21-6 in the first period but didn’t score until the middle frame.

Goals a minute and 31 seconds apart by Charlie Gollub and Ryan Watt stood up until Julian Cull wrapped up the scoring with a late third period empty netter.

Chazz Nixon was very strong in net with Nanaimo being outshot 47-23, but Oliver Auyeung-Ashton took his fourth post season win for the Grizzlies.

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The Clippers went 0/2 on the man advantage and 4/4 killing penalties on the night.

Several key Nanaimo players were playing through injuries including Isa Parekh who sat out Game 4 and could only play limited minutes in the series finale.

The Grizzlies now join the Surrey Eagles and Chilliwack Chiefs in the second round of the Coastal Conference playoffs.

Who they face next will depend of the ongoing Alberni Valley versus Coquitlam series.

While Nanaimo will return a solid core of players next season they have to say goodbye to some tremendous talent as well.

Most notably captain Brett Merner who is a three year veteran and a finalist for the BCHL’s Top Defenceman award.

He’ll be joining the Division 1 program at Colgate University in the fall.

Clippers two year forward and leading scoring Michael Murtagh will be moving on the NCAA’s Uconn Huskies.

Five 2003 born players are graduating as well including Gabriel Westling, Noah Alvarez and Isa Parekh who have NCAA commitments and Luke Buss and Emmett McHArdy who are still finalizing their plans for next season.

The result in the now ended first round season with the Grizzlies now moves Nanaimo’s all time playoff record against Victoria to 2-6.

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