The Nanaimo Clippers will need to climb out of a hole in their first-round playoff series.
The Clippers are down two games to none in their best-of-seven against the Cowichan Valley Capitals after dropping Game 1 and Game 2 in Duncan this past weekend. Nanaimo gave up a lead and lost the series opener 5-4 in overtime, then lost the next night’s rematch 4-3, also in overtime.
In the first game, Luke Lavery, Justin Collins and Patrick Fortune spotted the Clippers to a 3-0 lead before the five-minute mark of the first period, but the Capitals had the edge from there. Cole Lonsdale scored Nanaimo’s other goal and Vladimir Nikitin made 34 saves in defeat.
The next night, Fortune scored twice and Mitchell Patrick also tallied and Nikitin made 42 saves.
“It was a big first step protecting home ice advantage in the first two games,” said Cam Keith, coach of the Capitals. “The line is very thin between these teams so it’s no surprise they went to overtime.”
GAME ON … The Clippers and Capitals play Game 3 on Tuesday, April 8, at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena. Game 4 is set to face off on Wednesday, April 9, at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena. For ticket information, visit www.nanaimoclippers.com.
