Victoria led for most of the night as the Clippers lost to their division rivals for the second time in a week. Josh Kagan, Ethan Scardina, and Tim Washe scored for Nanaimo. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Long Night

Clippers lose second in a row to Grizzlies 6-3

Dec 15, 2019 | 12:38 AM

COLWOOD – In a game that took over three hours to finish the Victoria Grizzlies beat the Clippers 6-3.

The game was delayed three minutes in when Jake Veilleux and Nanaimo’s Brandon Dent broke the glass when they collided at the penalty box.

There was another stoppage for Victoria’s Teddy Bear Toss when they took a 1-0 lead.

Those long breaks set the tone for a night that spiralled down hill for the Clippers.

Josh Kagan scored midway through the first to even the score at one and send the game to the break 1-1.

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But in the second period the Grizzlies scored in the first minute and again with three minutes left to take a 3-1 lead through two periods.

Two goals in 36 seconds to open the third put the Clippers behind the eight ball before goals from Ethan Scardina and Tim Washe narrowed the gap to 5-3.

Vincent Nardone’s empty netter put the game away for the Grizzlies with just over a minute left.

Victoria also had a pair of goals from both Cody Monds and Chase McInnis, and a marker from former Clipper Colton Kitchen in the win.

Nanaimo has an 0-2-0-1 record in the last three games and now sit in second place in the Island Division, a point behind Cowichan Valley.

The Clippers have three games left before the Christmas break.

Dec. 15 they host Merritt and then there’s a home and home series with the Grizzlies Dec. 20 and 21.

The Merritt game will see former Clipper Hunor Torzsok return to Frank Crane Arena, while Nanaimo’s Josh Kagan will face his former team for the first time.

dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On twitter: @danmarshall77