A seesaw battle between the Clippers and Chilliwack Chiefs went down to the wire with the Chiefs pulling out a 6-5 last second overtime victory. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Offensive Explosion

Clippers lose exciting OT thriller 6-5 to Chiefs

Mar 12, 2023 | 5:32 PM

NANAIMO — The Clippers lost 6-5 in overtime to the Chilliwack Chiefs on a goal with 1.5 seconds left in the extra session.

Nanaimo never held the lead but were continuously battling back in one of the most entertaining games of the season.

In the first period the teams traded goals with Brady Milburn and Mateo Mrsic putting Chilliwack in front and Jake Hewitt twice tying it up for the Clippers.

Jeremie Payant was given a major penalty for a blow to the head and a game misconduct in the opening period for a hit on Nico Grabas.

Grabas, the brother of Clippers forward Luca Grabas, did not return to the game.

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The Chiefs went ahead by two in the middle frame on goals by Michael La Starza and Mrsic with his second of the day.

With just three seconds left before the intermission Tyler Wishart scored on a power play deflection to get the Clippers within a goal.

Willyam Gendron made it 4-4 with another tip in goal in the third period before Milburn once again put Chilliwack on top.

A breakaway goal by Gendron evened the game again and forced overtime.

Both Nanaimo goalie Aidan Campbell and the Chiefs Austin McNicholas were tested in OT with AJ Lacroix netting the winner with 1.5 seconds remaining in the three on three session.

The final shots were 44-33 for Chilliwack with the Clippers going 1/4 on the man advantage and 2/2 killing penalties.

Despite four players having multiple goals Nanaimo’s Brett Merner had the most points with a three assist performance.

In an attempt to break the BCHL attendance record of 5008 the Clippers sold game and virtual tickets to their final home game of the year.

The virtual tickets were a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity and the combined total brought the ticket count to 6069.

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