Post Game Recap – Feb 6th, 2026

The Clippers and Spruce Kings went back and forth all night in a fast-paced, physical matchup that ultimately needed overtime to decide. Nanaimo came out with energy early and got strong goaltending from Matthew Hutchison to keep the game scoreless through the opening frame. Special teams played a major role, with both sides trading power-play goals as momentum swung repeatedly in the second and third periods. The Clippers got goals from Sam Boisvert, Indiana Grossbard, and Tanner Bruender, each time answering or reclaiming the lead. Prince George responded after every Nanaimo advantage, refusing to let the game get away. After a tense third period ended tied, overtime featured chances at both ends, including a late Clippers power play that nearly decided it. In the end, Prince George scored in the dying moments of overtime to earn the win in a tightly contested battle.

The Clippers came out flying in the opening minutes, setting a high tempo right from the drop of the puck. Early momentum nearly swung Prince George’s way on a dangerous two-on-one, but Blake Jones made a sprawling defensive play to break it up and keep the game scoreless. Physical play picked up midway through the period when Charles Beland and Spruce Kings defenseman Nick Bianchi exchanged pleasantries, resulting in offsetting minors and two minutes of four-on-four hockey. Despite the added open ice and end-to-end pace, neither side could find the back of the net. Prince George pushed hard late in the period, generating sustained pressure and multiple quality looks, but Matthew Hutchison stood tall, turning aside every attempt to preserve the tie. A late penalty to Maxime Lapointe sent the Clippers to the penalty kill to close out the frame, though the Spruce Kings’ power play was unable to capitalize as Hutchison and the Nanaimo defense held firm. After 20 minutes, the game remained scoreless with Nanaimo having a 12-9 edge in the shot total.

Prince George broke the deadlock early in the second period, cashing in on the remaining power play to open the scoring and take a 1–0 lead. The Clippers responded quickly and decisively. Earning their first power-play opportunity moments later, Nanaimo needed just two seconds to answer, as Sam Boisvert won the ensuing sequence and snapped home the tying goal straight off the faceoff. Momentum stayed with the Clippers as they earned another power play almost immediately after the equalizer, but this time were unable to convert. Midway through the frame, Nanaimo was sent back to the penalty kill, where Matthew Hutchison came up with the save of the night, sliding across the crease to deny a prime scoring chance and keep the game tied as the penalty was successfully killed. Later in the period, Indiana Grossbard gave the Clippers their first lead of the night, collecting a Caden Okovita drop pass before toe-dragging around a defender and firing the puck into the net to make it 2–1. The advantage was short-lived, however, as Prince George answered just 30 seconds later to tie the game once again. The Spruce Kings took a late penalty in the period, but the Clippers were unable to score before the horn. Nanaimo will open the third period with a brief power-play opportunity in a 2–2 game.

Five minutes into the third period, the Clippers went back to the power play for the fourth time on the night, and this time they made it count. Stationed at the goal line, Tanner Bruender showed persistence, jamming away at a loose puck before finally slipping it over the line to restore Nanaimo’s lead.The back-and-forth battle continued midway through the period when the Clippers were assessed a penalty of their own. Prince George took advantage, converting on the power play to tie the game yet again and set up a tense final stretch. Late in regulation, Patty Fortune came inches away from ending it, but his chance was turned aside as both teams pushed for a go-ahead goal. With neither side able to break the deadlock before the buzzer, the game headed to overtime.

Overtime opened with both teams trading quality chances in a wide-open extra frame. Momentum appeared to swing Nanaimo’s way when Prince George took a potentially devastating penalty, giving the Clippers a prime opportunity to end it on the power play. Nanaimo poured on the pressure and threw everything they had toward the net, but the tying goal proved elusive. With time winding down in overtime, Prince George struck on a late chance to seal the win and bring the game to an end.

The three stars of the game were awarded to Nick Bianchi, Caden Okovita, and Ryan Wachtel, respectively. FortisBC Energy Player of the Game was given to Tanner Bruender. 

The Clippers head to Powell River on Saturday. The next home game is Friday, Feb. 13 when the Clippers matchup with the Surrey Eagles. Tickets can be purchased at nanaimoclippers.com or the Frank Crane Box office on gameday. 

-Malcolm Cooke

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