Cole Lonsdale had a hattrick, including the overtime game winner, as the Clippers earned a much-needed win in their return to play after the holiday break. (Gary Dorland)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

career night

Lonsdale hattrick drives Clippers to post-Christmas overtime win

Dec 28, 2024 | 10:12 PM

NANAIMO — The holiday hangover may have lasted 20 minutes longer than their opponents, but the Nanaimo Clippers came from behind to start their post-Christmas schedule in the best possible way.

Following two weeks off, the Clippers regathered in Prince George for the first of two games on Saturday, Dec. 28.

It was a slow start for the Clippers as the Spruce Kings came out on home ice and peppered shots toward Clipper netminder Chazz Nixon, eventually breaking the deadlock nearly eight minutes in to make it 1-0 on the powerplay via Brock Cummings.

Prince George doubled the lead just over two minutes later before the Clippers got their first chance on the powerplay and made no mistake.

Dylan Kinch scored his 13th of the year, on the man advantage, to cut the lead to one.

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A late period goal for Prince George restored a two goal advantage, and a busy period for Nixon also continued throughout as the Spruce Kings outshot Nanaimo 23-4 in the frame.

A fast start and more balanced shot totals resulted in the second period, with the Clippers’ Cole Lonsdale scoring at the five minute mark, followed by Kinch’s second of the game coming exactly five minutes later to tie the game.

Prince George restored their advantage 46 seconds later to make it 4-3 midway through the game, a scoreline which stayed through 40 minutes with shots favouring Nanaimo in the period 14-11.

The two-goal advantage was restored a second time early in the third as Prince George looked to cement their advantage with a 5-3 lead.

However, a powerplay marker from Lonsdale at 9:51 cut the lead to one, then the team got a game-tying goal inside the final minute via Luke Lavery’s ninth of the season to force overtime,

Cole Lonsdale completed his hattrick with an unassisted marker at 3:20 of the extra session for a 6-5 Clipper victory.

The trio of goals was Lonsdale’s first hattrick in the BCHL and helped lead to a five point night. He earned second star honours

Kinch had two goals and two assists in the effort, while Nixon stopped 41 of 46 Prince George shots.

Nanaimo and Prince George wrap their weekend double header Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m.

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