Defencemen Anthony Biakabutuka and Hudson Gill have had an elevated role in recent games for the Nanaimo Clippers with several key players missing due to injury. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

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Oct 23, 2024 | 2:33 PM

NANAIMO — The Clippers have had some on ice struggles lately with three straight losses.

Some of that can be attributed to injuries, particularly on defence where the team is without their number one weapon Andrew Brown and newcomer Julian Brown.

With some key players missing others have needed to pick up the slack.

Anthony Biakabutuka and Hudson Gill have taken on larger roles with Biakabutuka putting forth a massive offensive game with two goals in his most recent outing against Cowichan Valley.

“It was absolutely amazing,” Biakabutuka said after scoring his first BCHL goal. “When I saw that puck go in I didn’t even know what to do. The fans went crazy and it was awesome. I’m definitely going to remember that.”

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The Biakabutuka name should ring a bell with sports fans because Anthony’s uncle Tim played in the NFL.

It was also family that pushed Anthony towards hockey.

“My whole family from my dad’s side played football. When I was young I wanted to follow in those footsteps but then my older brother played hockey. So I started playing hockey because I looked up to him and wanted to be just like him.”

Biakabutuka said Andrew Brown encouraged the rest of the defence to embrace the challenge of a short bench, noting the Clipper coaches are getting a chance to see what the remaining players can do in those pressure situations.

Hudson Gill is trying to do his part while still transitioning from a different style of play in the BCHL from the OJHL last year.

He was relied upon as an offensive defenceman last year but has tried to hone his defensive skills in Nanaimo.

Gill said for both him and his teammates to have more success they must play with increased confidence.

“We have a skilled team with a lot of goal scorers and guys who can put up points so we have to use that to our advantage. But as well we have to make smart decisions. If we’re up in a game we need to lock down the house and play the game our coaches have put into place.”

It’s possible the Clippers may only have four or five regular defencemen for their upcoming games so Gill knows they have to approach the game intelligently.

“We have to manage our minutes well because everyone’s going to get their chance to play. We have to be smart and hopefully soon everyone else gets back. Also our third periods haven’t been good lately. I think we want to make good decisions and get pucks in deep. If we do that the wins will come.”

The Clippers are at home Oct. 25 against Coquitlam and Oct. 26 versus Chilliwack.

Gill said the Clippers will be ready to face the top two teams in the division.

“We play them this weekend and then the weekend after as well. It’ll be fun and obviously they’re very good teams. In the BCHL the bottom teams can beat the top teams on any given night. We know we can beat them and we’re ready.”

CLIP NOTES:

The Clippers made a player acquisition on Oct. 22 adding forward Carson Lesiuk from Penticton future considerations. The 19-year-old had no points in seven games with the Vees this year.

Nanaimo continues to be the least penalized team in the BCHL with a total of 82 minutes in ten games.

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