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Clippers beat Kings 6-4 to ensure first round playoff matchup

Feb 23, 2019 | 9:27 PM

NANAIMO – The Clippers and Kings will meet for the second straight year in the first round of the playoffs after Nanaimo’s 6-4 home ice win on Saturday.

Although they started well, the Clippers surrendered the game’s first goal on a power play marker by Levi Glasman.

His shot went off the post and then banked off of goalie Jordan Naylor.

Thomas Samuelsen got that right back with a blast from the slot.

Early in the second period Josh Bourne lifted a puck over Mitch Adamyk just after a penalty had expired, then 15 seconds later Samuelsen shovelled in his second of the game to put Nanaimo up 3-1.

Late in the second frame Nolan Krogfoss snapped a shot by Naylor to narrow the gap to 3-2 on a play where the Clippers had thought there was going to be an icing.

The two clubs traded goals in the third period with Kyler Kovich putting Nanaimo up by two with an early power play goal.

Ben Berard cut into the advantage getting a goal in close on a face off play.

A five minute major penalty to the Kings Kyle Pow produced a special teams goal by both sides.

Marcus Mitchell scored on a Josh Bourne feed and Mitchell Williams had a shorthanded tally bounce off a leg and in.

Powell River pressed late but Sammy Steele ended the night with an empty net goal.

The shots were 31-21 Clippers with Nanaimo going 2/7 on the power play and 3/4 killing penalties.

Saturday’s Three Stars and Energy Player of the Game were a tribute to the team’s 20-year-olds.

Marcus Mitchell, Gunnar Wegleitner, and Carter Stephenson were stars with Jordan Dawson and Dan Gatenby the co-Energy Players.

Sammy Steele led all scorers with 1g 3a, while Ethan Scardina had 3a, and Thomas Samuelsen recorded 2g for the home team.

Nanaimo’s win ensures a first round playoff matchup that will most likely start in Powell River on Friday March 1st.

 

dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On twitter: @danmarshall77