By Dan Marshall

Five different Nanaimo teams in playoff action this weekend

Mar 9, 2018 | 10:43 AM

NANAIMO — Three different local hockey teams are in playoffs this weekend and the VIU Mariners volleyball teams are both at national championships.
 
The Clippers are visiting Powell River on Saturday with their season on the line.
 
Nanaimo is down 3-2 in the best of seven with the Kings after a 3-2 home ice loss on Thursday. 
 
That series has been incredibly close with four of the five games decided by a single goal.
 
The key figure has been Carter Turnbull, the former Nanaimo Buccaneer leads all scorers in the series with nine points in the first five games.
 
His former team is rolling along in the second round of the VIJHL playoffs.
 
The Buccaneers are up 2-0 in their series with the Saanich Braves following a 5-4 OT win on Wednesday night.

_{Credit: Ian Holmes}

Nanaimo swept their first round series against Oceanside so they’ll be looking for their seventh straight post season win when they visit the George Pearkes Arena for Game 3 on Saturday.
 
It’s been a fun ride for Nanaimo’s newest hockey team from Vancouver Island University.

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_{Credit: Vancouver Island University}

They finished third in the BCIHL standings in their inaugural season with a 17-8 record.
 
The Intercollegiate schedule is somewhat unique in that the Mariners play a best of three series against Selkirk, without a home game.
 
VIU plays Selkirk in Castlegar on Friday and Saturday night, and if necessary Game 3 would be on Sunday.
 
Both the Mariners volleyball teams are in medal contention at their CCAA nationals this weekend.
 
The men are down the island at Camosun College and the women’s nationals are taking place in Grande Prairie, Alberta.
 
On Thursday the men lost their opening match to Fanshawe College 3-2 so they’ll need to take the long road into a bronze medal game.

_{Credit: Vancouver Island University}

They’ll be in a bronze medal quarter final on Friday against SAIT, and would also have to win a bronze medal semi final and the bronze medal match itself. 
 
The women breezed through their first match 3-0 against Andre-Larendeau out of Quebec, setting up a Friday semifinal versus Alberta’s Lakeland College.

_{Credit: Vancouver Island University}

Of the five teams in post season play this weekend only one has a chance for a home game, that’s the Nanaimo Clippers.
 
If Nanaimo wins in Powell River on Saturday, Frank Crane Arena would be the site for a game seven between the Clippers and Kings on Sunday night at 7 p.m.
 
 
dan@nanaimonewsnow.com
 
On twitter: @danmarshall77