Post Game Recap – Feb. 13th, 2026
The Nanaimo Clippers punched their ticket to the playoffs with a convincing 6–2 win over the Surrey Eagles. Nanaimo struck early and carried the play throughout, building a 4–1 lead through two periods before adding two power-play goals on a five-minute major in the third. Strong special teams and a structured defensive effort sealed the statement victory, clinching a postseason berth in style.
The Clippers wasted no time setting the tone Friday night, striking just 30 seconds into the contest. Off an odd-man rush, Tanner Bruender finished a crisp 3-on-2 sequence to give Nanaimo an early 1–0 advantage and ignite the home bench. Momentum stayed with the Clippers in the opening minutes, as they earned the game’s first power play shortly after the opener. Nanaimo controlled possession for much of the man advantage, hemming the Surrey Eagles in their own zone with sustained pressure, but were unable to find a second goal. The Eagles pushed back immediately after the penalty expired, springing for a partial breakaway, but goaltender Eliot Seguin Lescarbeau stood tall, turning aside the chance to preserve the lead.
Nanaimo doubled its advantage midway through the period when Blake Jones wired a shot from the blue line through traffic, beating the Surrey netminder clean to make it 2–0. Surrey answered with five minutes remaining in the frame, capitalizing on their opportunity to cut the deficit to 2–1 and shift some late momentum. The Clippers nearly restored their two-goal cushion before intermission when Indiana Grossbard found himself staring at a wide-open net, but a desperation stop from the Eagles’ goaltender kept the game within one. Through 20 minutes, Nanaimo carried the edge in play, outshooting Surrey 21–10 while holding a 2–1 lead heading into the second.
Nanaimo extended their lead just two minutes into the middle frame. Owen Davies let a shot go from the point that found the stick of Jack Rimmer in front, and the deft tip redirected past the Surrey goaltender to make it 3–1. Nanaimo was forced to kill its first penalty of the night shortly after, but instead of sitting back, the Clippers pushed the pace while shorthanded. They generated quality pressure and came close to adding to their lead, flipping momentum during the penalty kill. Once back at even strength, Indiana Grossbard found redemption after his earlier near miss. The forward buried his sixth of the season, giving the Clippers a commanding 4–1 advantage and further tilting the ice in Nanaimo’s favour. The period wasn’t without adversity. The Surrey Eagles were handed two consecutive power plays late in the frame, but the Clippers’ penalty kill stood firm, closing lanes and limiting second chances to preserve the three-goal cushion. Tempers flared at the buzzer when a Surrey skater delivered a late hit, resulting in a penalty that will see Nanaimo begin the third period on the power play. After 40 minutes, the Clippers carried a 4–1 lead and remained firmly in control.
Holding a three-goal advantage to start the final frame, the Clippers shifted into a defensive mindset and executed it to near perfection. Structure and discipline defined their game, as they limited the Surrey Eagles to the perimeter and kept quality chances to a minimum. A major turning point came when former Clipper Matson Waring was assessed a five-minute penalty, handing Nanaimo an extended, uninterrupted power play opportunity. The Clippers capitalized in decisive fashion. Charles Beland struck first on the major, finishing off a well-worked sequence to extend the lead. Moments later, Hayden Fechner added another, converting on the man advantage to push Nanaimo comfortably ahead at 6–1 and effectively put the game out of reach. Surrey managed to sneak in a late goal in the final minutes to trim the score to 6–2, but the outcome was never in doubt. The Clippers closed things out confidently, earning a decisive victory built on early offense, special teams execution, and a structured defensive effort over the final 20 minutes.
The three stars of the game were awarded to Indians Grossbard, Jack Rimmer, and Tanner Bruender. FortisBC Energy Player of the game was given to Blake Jones.
-Malcolm Cooke
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