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Clippers lose to Victoria for second straight night

Nov 27, 2016 | 12:20 AM

VICTORIA – It seemed like the Grizzlies were one step ahead in the Clippers’ 5-2 loss on Saturday.

Nathan Looysen scored on the first shift of the game and TJ Friedmann put home a loose puck on a power play before the game was eight minutes old.

The 2-0 goal prompted Mike Vandekamp to swap goalie Austin Roden for backup Evan DeBrouwer.

In the second period Nanaimo got on the board with a power play goal by Tate Coughlin. It was the first goal on netminder Matthew Galajda in five periods in the weekend series.

The Clippers surrendered a goal to Friedmann just 58 seconds later and the period ended with the Grizzlies up 3-1.

Defenseman Brett Stirling made it 4-1 before a late breakaway goal by Matt Kowalski narrowed the gap.

Jake Stevens’ empty net goal secured a 5-2 win, as the Grizzlies outshot the Clippers 42-24.

Both teams connected on the power play, with Nanaimo going 1/3 and Victoria cashing in at 1/6.

The Clippers have four more Island Division games in a row — at home to Alberni Valley Wednesday, at home to the Capitals on Friday, in Duncan Saturday, and versus Victoria at home Dec. 7.

Nanaimo has gone 1-7-1-1 in a difficult month of November.

They are now exactly halfway through the season and hoping a visit from the Bulldogs will lead to a win to start the second half.

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Saturday’s Three Stars

1) TJ Friedmann 2g

2) Jake Stevens 1g 2a

3) Brett Sterling 1g