Chazz Nixon has solidified the Clippers goaltending position with a 7-2 record in his first two months with the team. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Big in Net

VIDEO: Clippers’ Nixon settling into number one goaltender role

Feb 22, 2024 | 9:30 AM

NANAIMO — It’s only been nine games but Clippers goalie Chazz Nixon has put up stellar numbers and put his stamp on the starting goaltender position.

With a 7-2 record, 2.19 goals against average, a .935 save percentage and a shutout his pro-rated numbers would put him near the top of the league with other netminders who have been in the BCHL the full season.

The 19-year-old arrived in Nanaimo in mid December and has fit in from the beginning.

“I feel like I’ve gelled with the guys and everyone pretty well. The coaching staff has given me a really good opportunity. It hasn’t been very difficult to find my groove and get going.”

Nixon put the league on notice when he was named the BCHL’s second star of the week after his performance on the Feb. 9-10 weekend.

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It started with a 1-0 loss to Surrey in a goaltending duel with the number one ranked goaltender Ajeet Gundarah.

“Going into that game I knew it was going to be me versus him. Playing games like where you and him are the turning points and whoever cracks first is going to lose is always fun to play in. It’s fun to be a part of those matchups.”

On Feb. 10 Nixon made 31 saves to blank the Victoria Grizzlies 4-0, finishing with 64 saves on 65 shots for the weekend.

“Getting a shutout always feels nice and getting the first in a league like this is a good feeling. Late in the third I had to face a breakaway to keep it alive and I came out on top.”

Before coming to Nanaimo Nixon was in Drayton Valley of the AJHL so he felt he was already playing at a high level before joining the Clippers.

“This season I’ve played 30 games but only nine here in Nanaimo. I feel pretty acclimated and my body feels pretty good. I feel like I already am here in a rhythm in Nanaimo. Every game feels the same the way I’m preparing and getting ready. I’ve got lots of confidence so that’s helped me maintain consistency and keep everything going.”

The Oshawa, Ontario native has been impressed with the talent in the BCHL and has noticed a difference in the style of play.

“The AJ was alot more physical, guys were crashing my net a lot more and it was honestly harder to play in because of that. In BC there’s a lot more skill. Guys are a lot smarter with the puck and more patient. There’s a lot of top end guys who can move the puck and know where everybody is on the ice.”

The Clippers have back to back home games with Cowichan Valley on Feb. 23 and 24 and Nixon is very aware of how important the points are in the standings.

“I’m the checking the standings every time we play. Two through five being so volatile it’s coming down to the final stretch and these last few games will be a grind to get home ice advantage in the playoffs.”.

Nixon has also enjoyed sharing the crease with the other two goalies on the team, Tyler Hodges and Massimo Urbani.

The relationships have grown close very quickly.

“We’re hanging out everyday. We’ve really gelled as a trio. It’s amazing coming to the rink and still having friendly competition and pushing each other.”

CLIP NOTES:

The Clippers will look to sweep their first weekend of games in the month of February when they host Cowichan Valley on Feb. 23 and 24. Nanaimo is 3-3 for the month.

In the 2023 portion of fhe BCHL campaign the Clippers averaged 4.4 goals per game and 3.8 against. In 2024 the club has average 2.9 goals for and 2.4 goals against.

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