Dylan Kinch (15) and Connor DeTurris (19) were again focal points for the Clipper offence on Friday night, pacing Nanaimo to a 5-1 win over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. (Gary Dorland)

By Alex Rawnsley

POWERFUL POWERPLAY

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NANAIMO — A monster effort from the Nanaimo Clippers’ powerplay helped the team start 2025 on the right foot with a comprehensive road win.

After a weekend set in Prince George, the Clippers played their third game since the Christmas break away from home visiting the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Friday, Jan. 3.

Some early pressure from Alberni was withstood as the Clippers established some solid counter attacks en route to a scoreless first period with shots favouring Nanaimo 10-9 after 20 minutes.

The first goal of the game didn’t come until midway through the second period as the Clippers went to the powerplay for the second time, needing all of nine seconds for Connor DeTurris to break the deadlock with his eighth goal of the season.

Nanaimo doubled their lead just over two minutes later via Dylan Kinch’s 15th of the year, again on the powerplay, for a 2-0 advantage.

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Elliot Perrault made it 3-0 less than two minutes later as he converted on a Luke Lavery pass for his sixth of the year and a commanding lead through 40 minutes.

Shots favoured Nanaimo 25-20.

Alberni drew the lead back to a pair during another Nanaimo powerplay as the Bulldogs scored their seventh shorthanded goal of the year, through Kenyon McIssac to make it 3-1.

However the trimmed advantage was restored 1:10 later as Cole Lonsdale converted for the team’s third powerplay goal of the game and a 4-1 lead.

Tempers flared midway through the period after a hit on Clipper forward Chase Hull dislodged his helmet. Both teams lost three players each to penalties and misconducts, with Clipper defenceman Julian Brown assessed an instigator penalty for fighting after the hit.

DeTurris added his 2nd of the game late in the third after Kinch forced a turnover and the Clippers skated to a 5-1 win.

Final shots favoured the Clippers 36-31.

Chazz Nixon stopped 30 of 31 Alberni shots for the win, gives Nanaimo a two point buffer over Prince George for 8th spot in the Coastal Division standings.

Nanaimo hosts Coquitlam at Frank Crane Arena on Saturday, Jan. 4.

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