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Charles Beland (right) had two goals for the Nanaimo Clippers on Friday, May 1, in game 1 of their third round BCHL Playoff series against the Prince George Spruce Kings. (Image Credit: Damon James/Island Images Photography)
road warriors

Clippers thump Spruce Kings to open BCHL playoff series

May 1, 2026 | 9:34 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — After going winless against the Prince George Spruce Kings through the regular season, the Nanaimo Clippers made a major statement Friday night.

The two teams opened their third round BCHL Playoff series in Prince George on Friday, May 1, with the Clippers cruising to a 4-0 win at the Kopar Memorial Arena to take a 1-0 series lead.

The Clippers came out firing in the first period, establishing a substantial lead in shots on goal as the team peppered Spruce Kings starter Colin Reay.

Nanaimo broke the deadlock nearly 14 minutes into the period as a turnover in neutral ice was carried into the offensive zone by Miller Kay, whose shot rebounded off Reay to Charles Beland for a sharp-angled chance, resulting in Beland’s ninth goal of the playoffs and a 1-0 lead.

The Clippers and Spruce Kings opene dup their playoff series on Friday night in P.G.
The Clippers and Spruce Kings opene dup their playoff series on Friday night in P.G. (Image Credit: Marlon Martens)

Nanaimo outshot Prince George 12-3 in the period.

A dominant game for the Clippers continued into the second with the Clippers scoring twice just 61 seconds apart, first through Beland’s team-leading 10th goal of the post season, then Will Subject’s first for a 3-0 advantage.

Nanaimo added a fourth goal via Landon Pappas nearly two minutes later for a 4-0 lead.

The goals chased Reay who stopped 19 of 23 Nanaimo shots in 25:54.

Nanaimo held their lead to the second intermission, outshooting the Spruce Kings 28-8.

The third period was more tame than the other two, with the Spruce Kings outshooting Nanaimo 11-5, but unable to make inroads into the Clippers advantage as Nanaimo took game 1 by a 4-0 score.

Clipper netminder Eliot Séguin-Lescarbeau stopped 19 Prince George shots to improve his record in the playoffs to 9-3, and earned his first shutout of the playoffs to go with five in the regular season.

Nanaimo was winless against the Spruce Kings through the regular season, losing in regulation three times and overtime once.

The Clippers were outscored 25-13 in those games.

Game two is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, with puck drop at 6 p.m. from the Kopar Memorial Arena in Prince George.

The series will shift to Nanaimo for games three and four on Tuesday, May 5, and Wednesday, May 6, both 7 p.m. starts at Frank Crane Arena.

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