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Alex Hebblethwaite had four goals in his first game as a Clipper while veterans Joel Plante and Luke Lavery had two apiece in a 9-5 win over Surrey. (Gary Dorland)
Offensive Explosion

New Clipper Hebblethwaite shines with four goals in debut

Oct 3, 2024 | 12:01 AM

NANAIMO — The arrival of Alex Hebblethwaite was as good as it gets for the Clippers.

In his first game for Nanaimo the 19-year-old had four goals in a 9-5 victory over Surrey.

He was picked up in a futures deal with the Trail Smoke Eaters that paid immediate dividends.

After two Hebblethwaite goals Luke Lavery also scored in the first period to put the Clippers up 3-0.

In a second period with seven combined goals the Clippers got up 6-2 before eventually leading 6-4 after 40 minutes.

Hebblethwaite, Joel Plante and Connor DeTurris had the Nanaimo goals while Cam Russo, Dean Toskos, Miles Burgin and Nolan Flynn counted for the Eagles.

Brady Kudrick added an early third period tally to cut the Clippers lead to 6-5 but the road team pushed hard again for another three goals.

Lavery, on the power play, and Plante each notched their second goals of the game while Hebblethwaite added his fourth.

Nanaimo was outshot 43-32 with netminder Kyan Labbe getting the win over the Surrey tandem of Colton Jugnauth and Jaiden Sharma.

Nanaimo went 1/2 on the man advantage and killed off their only penalty against.

The Clippers record is now 2-2-1 heading into a home game against the Victoria Grizzlies on October 4.

It will be Nanaimo’s fifth game in eight nights.

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