Nanaimo Minor Hockey U18 T1 Clippers primed for provincials

“I think for quite a few kids on the team this is their first shot making it to provincials. It’s a good opportunity for those guys to play some of the best competition in B.C. and showcase their skills and talents for all of the scouts and people who are going to be watching.”

Creighton’s club was the team to beat in their Vancouver Island league during regular season play, compiling a 27-11-3 record, while outscoring their opponents 186-120.

The team competed in two tournaments, winning both, including over the winter holiday break in Richmond, where the U18 T1 Clippers secured a dramatic 3-on-3 overtime championship victory over the hosts.

Creighton told NanaimoNewsNOW he was convinced they had a good shot to advance to the provincial stage by late October after compiling an early-season winning streak.

“The guys are a bit more battle-tested now at this point in the season. They’re just excited to play another five more games before the end of the year.”

Competing against non-league regional opponents presents interesting dynamics for coaches and players heading into a provincial tournament setting.

Creighton said assembling scouting reports in advance isn’t easy, but it likely plays to their advantage.

“Our team is physical and they play fast. If you’re not going to get a look at us beforehand, you might be in for some shock and awe by the time that puck drops.”

Playing simple, structured, and disciplined hockey to dictate the flow has been the message Creighton and his coaching staff have preached.

“We like to be the hammer and not the nail as much as possible.”

Most of the U18 T1 Clippers players, coaches and parents elected to fly to Fort St. John.

After making the voyage, the team has a practice session booked for Saturday afternoon in advance of their tournament opener on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. versus the Vancouver Thunderbirds.

Forwards Oliver Lynch and Ben Fortier lead the U18 T1 Clippers’ offensive attack, while captain Bennett Moes from Port Alberni provides an important power-forward dynamic.

Defenceman Coleson Chase is a mobile third-year player who will be heavily relied upon.

The team is blessed to have two strong goaltenders who’ve rotated the crease all season: Kael Koch-Herbers and Dace Coburn.

It has been a memorable season for the U18 T1 Clippers, who are in Fort St. John for the upcoming provincial championship. (Image Credit: Submitted photo)

Lynch, a third-year player and the team’s leading scorer, said they’ve had a series of high-paced practices and dryland sessions since their last game nearly three weeks ago.

Lynch is hoping for more success in Fort St. John compared to how his U15 T1 Clippers fared on the provincial stage in that northern B.C. city three years ago, when they were shut out of the medal round.

“This one definitely is more special with it being my last couple of games here and spending it with a team who’s more like family than just teammates,” Lynch told NanaimoNewsNOW.

The 17-year-old Nanaimo product describes himself as a speedy and shifty, offensive-driven centre.

He has plans to play at higher levels beyond his soon-to-expire minor hockey days.

“My focus now is winning games with my team, but I think it would be cool to play junior after, it’s something I look forward to and hope to do in the future.”

The other Nanaimo Minor Hockey team to compete for a competitive division provincial title is the U15 T1 Clippers, who play in Maple Ridge from March 15 to 18.

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by Ian Holmes

Nanaimo Minor Hockey U18 T1 Clippers primed for provincials

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