By Malcom Cooke
The Clippers fell 7-4 to the visiting Cowichan Valley Capitals on Friday night. Despite neither team being able to muster a goal in the first period, the goals came rolling in during the final 40 minutes of play. The Capitals erupted for five straight goals in the second period. Clippers goals came from Cole Lonsdale, Conner DeTurris, and two goals from Elliot Perreault. Penalties didn't happen for either side until the final five minutes of play.
The first period was a stout defensive affair. Both teams were locked in defensively as play was mostly in the neutral zone. Goaltender Otto Nuto bailed out the Clippers after a bad giveaway in their own zone. Nuto stopped the initial shot and slid across the crease to deny the Capitals a rebound goal. Luke Lavery woke the crowd late in the period with a thunderous open ice hit. The Capitals outshot the Clippers 14-8 through twenty minutes of play.
Nanaimo's second period started on the right foot. Cole Lonsdale scored his ninth goal of the season in the early minutes. Cowichan quickly responded, scoring twice in the minute after Lonsdale's tally. The Capitals added to their lead midway through the period to go up 3-1. Two more goals in quick succession gave the Capitals a 5-1 lead. Conner DeTurris netted his 6th goal of the season late in the second to cut the Cowichan lead to 5-2 heading into the locker room. The Clippers peppered the Capitals in the second, outshooting the visitors 23-10 in the second period.
The Clippers looked to claw back in the third period. Unfortunately, the Capitals added to their lead about seven minutes into the third. Elliot Perrault answered shortly after scoring the first of his two goals in the game. The Capitals scored once more to put the nail in the coffin. Perrault notched his second of the game with nearly twelve minutes played in the third period, but it would not be enough to overcome the deficit.
Three stars of the game were awarded to Garrett Russell, and Carter DeKay of Cowichan with Elliot Perrault rounding out the three stars. FortisBC Energy Player of the Game went to Cole Lonsdale.
The Clippers are on the road on Saturday to face the Alberni Valley Bulldogs before returning home on December 13, 7 pm to face the Bulldogs at The Frank. The Clippers' last game before the holiday break is Saturday, December 14th, at home against the Victoria Grizzlies, 7 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the Frank Crane box office on game day or at tickets.nanaimoclippers.com.
