Post Game Recap – Oct. 31st, 2025
The Nanaimo Clippers made a statement on home ice Friday night, blanking the Victoria Grizzlies 3–0 in a hard-fought, physical divisional matchup. The win vaulted the Clippers past the Grizzlies in the Coastal West standings, marking an important midseason push. After a sluggish start offensively, Nanaimo found its stride and controlled the game at both ends of the ice. Goaltending and special teams proved to be key, as the Clippers killed off every Victoria power play while capitalizing on their early chances. Elliot Perreault and Cormier provided the offensive spark, while Nanaimo’s defense held firm against a determined Grizzlies attack. Tempers flared throughout the night, especially in a penalty-filled third period that tested both teams’ composure. Despite the rough stuff, the Clippers stayed disciplined when it mattered most. The result was a convincing shutout victory that gives Nanaimo valuable momentum as they climb the Coastal West standings.
The Victoria Grizzlies came out strong, hemming the Nanaimo Clippers in their own zone and holding them without a shot for the first seven minutes of play. But the lack of early offense didn’t faze the Clippers. They made their very first shot of the game count, as Elliot Perreault buried a chance to give Nanaimo the 1–0 lead. Nanaimo faced the game’s first penalty midway through the frame but stood tall on the penalty kill to maintain their advantage. Tempers flared later in the period, leading to a set of coincidental minors after some extra physical play along the boards. The Clippers had a chance to extend their lead late with their first power play of the night, but Victoria’s penalty killers kept them off the board. After 20 minutes, the Grizzlies held a 9–6 edge in shots, but it was Nanaimo who carried the 1–0 lead into the intermission.
The Clippers wasted little time extending their lead in the middle frame. Just minutes in, Antoine Cormier stepped into a shot from the blue line and wired it past the Victoria goaltender to make it 2–0. Nanaimo kept the pressure coming and struck again midway through the period, pushing the lead to 3–0 as their offense began to take control. Victoria had another opportunity to get back into the game when the Clippers were sent to the penalty box for the second time, but Nanaimo’s penalty killers once again came through. Moments after serving his minor, Sam Boisvert nearly made it 4–0 when he broke in alone out of the box, only to be denied on a great save. The Clippers continued to generate quality chances, including a point-blank look from Jack Rimmer in the dying seconds that was turned aside. Nanaimo dominated the period, outshooting Victoria 15–6 and carrying a commanding 3–0 lead into the second intermission.
Victoria made a change in goal to start the third period in search of a spark, but any momentum was quickly interrupted by a fight between Justin Collins of Nanaimo and Victoria’s Micheal Dowdall. The bout slowed play for several minutes as officials sorted out the penalties — a preview of the physical, penalty-filled period to come. Moments later, the Clippers went to the power play after Nicholas Holomego was boarded near the benches. The intensity only ramped up from there, with scrums and roughing minors dominating the stat sheet. In total, the final frame featured an incredible 76 penalty minutes, as both teams let their emotions boil over. Despite the chaos, Nanaimo kept their composure and closed out a strong defensive effort, holding firm to preserve the shutout and a convincing victory over Victoria.
The three stars of the game were awarded to Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau, Elliot Perreault, and Antoine Cormier, respectively. FortisBC Energy Player of the game was given to Justin Collins.
The Clippers return to action on Friday, November 7 for the first half of a home-and-home matchup with the Cowichan Valley Capitals. Tickets can be purchased at nanaimoclippers.com or the Frank Crane box office on gameday.
-Malcolm Cooke
The post Post Game Recap – Oct. 31st, 2025 appeared first on Nanaimo Clippers.