An eleven point night for the Clippers top line of Jake Hewitt, Kai Daniells and Brody Waters propelled the team to a 5-2 Game 5 win over the Langley Rivermen and a 3-2 series lead. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Taking the Lead

Clippers grab series lead after 5-2 win in Game 5 over Langley

Apr 6, 2023 | 10:17 PM

NANAIMO — The Clippers never trailed in a 5-2 victory over the Langley Rivermen in the fifth game of their first round playoff series.

Kai Daniells scored a power play goal in the first period but Reilley Kotai evened up the game before the first intermission.

Despite outshooting the Rivermen 14-7 in the opening 20 minutes the Clippers were on even terms.

That quickly changed in the middle frame with goals by Brody Waters and Jake Hewitt in the first two minutes.

That lead carried into the third period with both Nanaimo’s Shane Shelest and Langley’s Ajeet Gundarah playing well between the pipes.

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Michael Craig scored on a man advantage mid way through the period to give Nanaimo some insurance before John Small brought the game to within two in the final five minutes.

Daniells second goal of the game into an empty net capped off the Clippers win.

Nanaimo’s top line of Hewitt, Daniells, and Waters combined for eleven points as a trio and they were named the game’s three stars.

The Clippers outshot Langley 40-21 and had an excellent special teams performance going 2/3 on the power play and 2/2 killing penalties.

In 22 power play opportunities in the series Nanaimo has scored nine times.

The Clippers will have a chance to close out the series on Saturday April 8 at 7:15 p.m. at the George Preston Recreation Centre.

If they fail to win the game they’ll host Game 7 on April 10 at Frank Crane Arena.

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