September 6th, 2025 Recap
The Nanaimo Clippers rolled to an 8-1 win over the Powell River Kings in a dominant preseason performance. After giving up an early goal, the Clippers responded with eight unanswered, including four power-play markers. Jack Rimmer led the way with two goals, while six different players found the back of the net. The game featured physicality, highlighted by a first-period fight and several scrums throughout. Nanaimo controlled the pace from start to finish, outshooting Powell River 57-24. Their special teams were sharp, going 4-for-7 on the power play and perfect on the penalty kill.
The Powell River Kings struck early, capitalizing on a broken play in front of the Clippers’ net to take a 1-0 lead just two minutes into the game. The opening frame saw a fast-paced start, with the Clippers quickly firing 12 shots on the Powell River goal in the first 10 minutes. The intensity ramped up midway through the period when Chad Lebeau and Finlay Klippenstein dropped the gloves for a spirited fight, energizing the crowd. The Clippers were awarded a power play shortly after, but couldn’t convert on the opportunity. With five minutes remaining in the period, the Clippers got another chance on the power play. This time, Jack Rimmer made sure to capitalize, firing a shot past the Powell River goalie to tie the game at 1-1. Not long after, Mitchell Patrick tipped a point shot from Landon Pappas, giving the Clippers a 2-1 lead late in the period. At the end of the first, the Clippers had outshot Powell River 21-6, showing strong offensive pressure throughout the frame.
The Clippers continued to assert their dominance early in the second period, with Charles Beland scoring his third goal of the preseason to extend their lead to 3-1 just five minutes in. Nanaimo’s power play was clicking again when Will Subject finished off a smooth tic-tac-toe passing sequence, pushing the lead to 4-1. The Kings got their first power-play opportunity of the game midway through the period, but the Clippers’ penalty kill stood tall, preventing any real danger. Late in the period, the Clippers had another power play but were unable to capitalize, leaving them with a 30-second carryover power play as the third period approached. Despite the missed chance, the Clippers continued to control the game, outshooting Powell River 15-8 in the middle frame.
The Clippers couldn’t capitalize on the brief power play to start the third, but their defense was suffocating. They held the Powell River Kings to zero shots in the first six minutes of the period, continuing to dominate possession and pace. Nanaimo’s offense exploded again, as Finlay Klippenstein wired a shot past the Kings’ goaltender to push the lead to 5-1. Just over a minute later, Max Shuskov added another, scoring on a low, lazy point shot that somehow found its way into the back of the net. Tempers flared after a skirmish in front of the Powell River bench, sending the Clippers to the penalty kill. However, the penalty kill held strong, once again denying the Kings any opportunities. The Clippers then took full advantage of the Kings’ missteps. A kneeing penalty from Powell River’s Chad Lebeau and a charging penalty set up a 5-on-3 opportunity, and Elliot Perreault made no mistake, scoring on the power play to make it 7-1. Jack Rimmer rounded out the scoring with his second power-play goal of the night, sealing the 8-1 victory for Nanaimo. The Clippers absolutely dominated the shot count, outshooting Powell River 57-24 on the night, further showcasing their offensive firepower and defensive lockdown.
The three stars of the game went to Patrick, Rimmer, and Shuskov, respectively. FortisBC Energy Player of the Game was given to goalie Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau.
The Clippers go on the road to face Alberni Valley on Sept. 11 in the final preseason game. The regular season kicks off on Sept. 19 when the Clippers face off against the Bulldogs at the Frank. Tickets can be purchased at nanaimoclippers.com or the Frank Crane box office on gameday.
-Malcolm Cooke
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