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The Clippers are one win away from the second round of the BCHL playoffs after a 5-2 road win in Port Alberni on April 7. (Image Credit: Damon James/Island Images Photography)
On the Brink

Clippers in control of playoff series with Bulldogs

Apr 8, 2026 | 12:20 AM

PORT ALBERNI — The Clippers have a stranglehold on their playoff series against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.

Nanaimo is up 3-0 in the best of seven after a 5-2 win in Game 3.

For the third straight game the Bulldogs scored first, this time thanks to a fortunate bounce converted by former Clipper Kye Benoche,

That goal came late in the first period but Nanaimo would tally twice before the intermission break.

Sebastian Miles scored from in close to tie the game and get his first ever BCHL goal.

Then Tanner Bruender, who has scored in all three games in the series, scored with .8 seconds left on the clock.

A three way passing play on a power play led to the Clippers 3-1 goal in the middle frame and that was the only tally until mid way through the third.

Samuel Leonard cashed in on a delayed penalty to close the gap to 3-2 only to have the Clippers get two empty netters from Hayden Fechner and Miller Kay.

Nanaimo went 1/2 on the man advantage and killed off both Alberni Valley power plays.

The Clippers have killed off all five Bulldog power plays in the series.

Overall the shots were 34-32 in Alberni Valley’s favour.

Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau took his third straight win in net over Alberni’s Derik Brouillard with the netminders taking first and second star honours respectively in Game 3.

Nanaimo has a chance to win the series in Game 4 on April 8 in Port Alberni.

The Clippers have not advanced to the second round of the BCHL playoffs since 2023

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