Shane Shelest, Kai Daniells and Brody Waters were recognized in the weekly BCHL awards. Daniells and Ethan Mistry were also selected as league all stars. That group will be heavily relied upon in the Clippers second round playoff series with Chilliwack. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Round Two

VIDEO: Clippers earn BCHL recognition in lead up to second round series with Chiefs

Apr 14, 2023 | 6:25 AM

NANAIMO — After winning first place in the Coastal Division in the regular season and defeating Langley in six games to open the playoffs the Clippers received some BCHL recognition.

In the days off between the first round of the post season and a best of seven series against the Chilliwack Chiefs two players were named league all stars and three players were honoured with weekly league awards.

Ethan Mistry was named to the BCHL’s first all star team after leading all defensemen in scoring in the regular season.

“I am proud of this accomplishment for sure,” Mistry said. “It’s indicative of a great season by the Clippers. I would not be here without my teammates.”

Third year forward Kai Daniells was selected to the second all star team after leading the Clippers in scoring with 71 points, the fifth highest total in the league.

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“It’s always nice to be recognized for the hard work our team has put in this season,” Daniells explained. “There’s lots of talented players and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

On the heels of three straight wins to wrap up a series win over the Langley Rivermen goalie Shane Shelest was picked as the BCHL’s third star of the week.

Shelest won all three playoff games he started while stopping 78 of 81 shots.

His performance was punctuated by a 1-0 shutout win in the series clinching game.

“The boys helped me out a lot,” Shelest said. “They really came out firing in my first game and that helped me ease into it a bit. From there things settle down and you get comfortable in the situation you’re in.”

Daniells and Brody Waters led all Nanaimo scorers in the opening round and they were both given honourable mentions for the three stars of the week with eight points in the final four games.

The Clipper have turned their sights towards Chilliwack in the second round beginning on Friday April 14.

Waters said the adversity in the first round will serve Nanaimo well in the rest of the post season.

“I think it was good that we went through that early so everyone has a taste for what it takes to win and lose in a playoff series.”

Waters and Daniells will be without their usual linemate Jake Hewitt who is serving the final two games of a suspension at the beginning of the series.

“We love playing together,” Waters said. “It was a bit of a curveball that’s for sure. But it was really good playing with Joel Plante. He’s a really good player, he’s really fast and works really hard.”

Nanaimo won three of the four regular season meetings with the final two games both decided in overtime.

The first four games of the series will go April 14 and 15 at Frank Crane Arena and April 18 and 19 in Chilliwack.

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