With a 9-2 record since January 1st, the Clippers are on a tear. The coaches and players believe the team still has a ways to go to reach their full potential. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Winning ways

VIDEO: Clippers building chemistry and strong habits during playoff push

Feb 12, 2025 | 9:58 AM

NANAIMO — The Clippers are enjoying their best run of play in the BCHL season with six consecutive wins.

It started on Jan. 25 with a 3-2 overtime win in Powell River and includes two victories over Victoria and triumphs over Prince George, Alberni Valley and Langley as well.

Since the calendar turned to 2025, Nanaimo has an overall record of 9-2 and head coach Colin Birkas said the roster is healthy and finally stabilized.

“The injury bug was crazy at the beginning of the year and then there was that wave of player defections. It led us to that point where we lost those two games to Victoria and Alberni right before Christmas and I really felt that was rock bottom. Ever since that time if you look at the big picture I really like how the team’s playing.”

Defenceman Anthony Biakabutuka gives a lot of the credit to the coaching staff.

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“As a group we came together and figured out what was wrong. Our coaches did a great job setting a new plan for each game. The games have been tight but in the end we were able to outwork and outperform the other team and I think that’s why we’re having success right now.”

The Clippers have brought their goals against down significantly in 2025 and Biakabutuka said that’s an aspect of the game that has really improved since the beginning of the year.

“Our practices have been focusing on making sure we win those battles in the corner and box out our opponents. At the end of the day it’s about holding ourselves accountable. I think that’s why we can create more offense. The less time we spend in the D zone the more opportunities we get in the offensive zone.”

Assistant coach Evan Richardson believes the Clippers have found a new standard and he wants to see the strong habits the team has displayed recently continue.

“Ideally that becomes the norm here. You can see when we start cheating how many chances we give up and when we’re playing hard and the right way how little chances we give up. Moving into the playoffs those are the games you have to win, low scoring and not giving up the chances.”

Nanaimo has upcoming home games against the two non-playoff teams in the Coastal Division with Powell River in town on Feb. 14 and Prince George visiting on Feb. 15.

CLIP NOTES:

Nanaimo has earned sole possession of seventh place in the Coastal Division. They are one point ahead of Langley and three points behind the sixth place Alberni Valley Bulldogs.

The BCHL trade deadline has come and gone and the Clippers made one player addition. Forward Jack Rimmer was acquired from Collingwood of the OJHL. Rimmer has played two games for Nanaimo and has one assist.

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