The Clippers have had excellent starts over their past five games building leads in all five but only holding a 1-3-1 record in that span. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Full 60 Minutes

VIDEO: Clippers looking to take lessons from lost leads

Nov 8, 2024 | 1:41 PM

NANAIMO — The Clippers are trying to break a cycle of building leads only to have them slip away.

In three of their last five games Nanaimo has gotten off to tremendous starts, including on Friday, Nov. 1 when the Clippers built up a 3-0 lead on Coquitlam but ultimately lost 4-3 in overtime.

Elliot Perrault opened the scoring in the game and remains confident the team can overcome the hurdle of not holding on when they have an advantage.

“The pieces are there. Practices every week have gone phenomenal. It’s right there. In those games in that stretch it’s just slipped away from us. I have full confidence in our group. We have great leadership and great guys.”

Newcomer Jimmy Lyver played his first two games with the team on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 and believes the Clippers have the ingredients for on ice success.

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“We’ve got a lot of talent but we’ve got to keep working for the full 60 minutes to put some wins up on the board. I think the culture we’re trying to bring is hard work. We’re here to give our all because we want nothing but the best for the Clippers.”

Perrault said the Clippers have had a difficult time with players out of the line up due to injury.

He himself missed four games while being hurt early in the season.

“We’re figuring it out and it’s coming. I think next game you’ll see a different Clipper team. It’s a matter of belief. We’re getting healthy. We have been banged up at the start of the year with a lot of key guys out for a bit but they’re coming back.”

Lyver has now had a week of practice to get ready for Nanaimo’s upcoming games against Langley and Victoria.

He’s one of several new Clippers who are still adjusting to new surroundings in Nanaimo.

“It’s about gaining trust and chemistry with my teammates. Throughout the year we’ll keep coming together and we’ll be a lot stronger than we are now. This is a very important momentum swing weekend for us.”

CLIP NOTES:

Defenceman Garin Ludwig will serve a one game suspension because of a charging major penalty in the Clippers Nov. 2 loss in Chilliwack.

Nanaimo will play their fifth game in a row against a mainland team on Nov. 8. The Clippers are 1-2-1 in their most recent contests home and away dates versus both Coquitlam and Chilliwack.

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