Nanaimo split their first place series with Cowichan Valley, and lead the Capitals by one point for first in the Island Division. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

First Place Showdown

Clippers weekend wrap Jan. 3-4

Jan 6, 2020 | 6:13 PM

NANAIMO – The story of the Clippers over the last several weeks has centred around divisional home and home series.

Their last three weekends have all gone that way with splits against Victoria, Powell River and Cowichan Valley.

The latest head to head matchup started with a 3-2 overtime victory over the Capitals.

In front of the largest Nanaimo crowd in recent memory (2679) captain Ethan Scardina won the game on an overtime breakaway.

Tim Washe and Aiden Hansen-Bukata also scored in the win.

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The rematch in Duncan didn’t fall the Clippers way with Kyler Kovich getting the only tally in a 3-1 loss.

Nanaimo left the weekend with a one point lead over Cowichan for first place in the Island Division.

They’re next game is also in Duncan on Jan. 11.

With the season series at 1-3 so far that result is a massive one for the Clippers with 16 games remaining.

There’s also another game on the weekend with Wenatchee visiting Frank Crane Arena on Jan. 12.

CLIP NOTES:

Jordan Naylor was named the BCHL’s player of the month for December. He had a league best .940 save percentage and a 1.83 goals against average. His two shutouts were the most in December and he won four of eight starts.

The BCHL trade deadline is Jan. 10. The Clippers have one card remaining which means one possible player addition before the deadline. If they do make a move they would have to delete a player from the current roster.

On Jan. 12 John Newberry will become the second player added to the Clippers Wall of Honour. In 1979-80 Newberry scored a team record 185 points, the second highest total in league history. Current Nashville Predator Matt Irwin was the first player added to the Wall in November.

dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On twitter: @danmarshall77