Clippers lose the first exhibition match of the season

#24 Andrew Brown, #17 Joel Plante and #19 Connor DeTurris celebrate Brown's goal.

BCHL Hockey returned to the Frank Crane Arena on Friday. The Nanaimo Clippers opened their 2024 preseason falling 6-3 to the Cowichan Valley Capitals. Returning players Andrew Brown, Joel Plante, and Parksville’s Ben Groome scored the 3 Nanaimo goals. Chazz Nixon was in net to begin his second season with the Clippers. 

The Clippers opened the preseason scoring first. Andrew Brown received a cross-crease pass from another Nanaimo veteran, Joel Plante, to open the scoring. Cowichan Valley took the game's first penalty, giving the Clippers a power play chance. Nanaimo’s PP unit was unable to score with the man advantage. The Capitals scored in the latter half of the 1st period to tie the game at 1-1. As time was winding down on the opening frame Ben Groome snuck a shot through the legs of Capitals goaltender Dylan Kinch to put the Clippers up 2-1 after the first period. Cowichan Valley out shot Nanaimo by a slim margin, 10-8 through one period of play.

Chazz Nixon made a dazzling glove save early in the second period to maintain the Clippers 2-1 lead. Minutes later, the Capitals would score to tie the game at 2-2. In an attempt to clear the puck from in front of the net, an accidental own goal resulted in the Capitals taking a 3-2 lead. The Clippers would tie it up at 3-3 seconds after the own goal when Joel Plante notched his 2nd point. Nanaimo was given a chance to retake the lead when Cowichan forward Kent Moors was sent off for slashing. The Clippers were unable to score on the ensuing power play. Cowichan Valley pulled ahead late in the second period, going up 4-3. Late in the second, the Clippers took their first penalty as Julian Brown was called for cross-checking. The horn sounded to end the second period with the Clippers down by a goal and being out shot 21-15. 

The third period started with 30 seconds remaining on the penalty kill, which passed by without much fanfare. The Capitals extended their lead to 5-3 after a shot trickled through the legs of Chazz Nixon and sat on the goal line before being shovelled into the net by Capitals forward Brayden Krawcyz. Midway through the third period, the Clippers took their second penalty of the game when Elliot Perrault was called for tripping. The Clippers killed off the penalty. 

Capitals forward Jordan Bax got the boot late in the third, being handed a 10-minute misconduct. The Clippers were penalized again near the end of the game as Erik Sollied got sent off for tripping. Cowichan put the final nail in the coffin with 20 seconds left in the game as they scored their 6th goal to seal a 6-3 loss for the Clippers. 

The three stars of the game were awarded to Luke McCrady, Joel Plante, and Dryden Kuramoto respectively. FortisBC Energy Player of the Game was given to Erik Sollied for his efforts in blocking shots. 

The Clippers play on Sunday, September 8th in Powell River before returning to The Frank on Wednesday, September 11th to face the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Tickets can be purchased at tickets.nanaimoclippers.com or the Frank Crane Arena box office.