Post Game Recap – Mar. 20th, 2026
In a physical, high-tempo game, the Nanaimo Clippers secured a 4-2 win over the Powell River Kings, clinching home ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs. The game opened with early fights that set the tone, while Nanaimo controlled play but trailed 1-0 after the first despite a heavy shot advantage. Indiana Grossbard tied the game in the second as the Clippers continued to dominate territorially. Drew Roeloefs gave Nanaimo the lead early in the third and later completed a Gordie Howe hat trick with an assist on Miller Kay’s shorthanded empty-net goal. Powell River made a late push to cut it to 3-2, but Hayden Fechner sealed the win in the final second. A complete effort from the Clippers secured both the victory and a key playoff advantage.
The game got off to a fiery start as Will Subject and William Mackay dropped the gloves early, immediately energizing the crowd. Not long after, the Clippers were sent to their first penalty kill when Jack Rimmer was called for tripping, but they handled it well and kept the game scoreless. Nanaimo carried the momentum at even strength, peppering the Powell River goaltender with a barrage of shots, but couldn’t find a way to break through. Tensions flared again midway through the frame when Drew Roeloefs delivered a heavy open-ice hit, sparking a second fight. The Clippers were awarded a power play following the altercation but were unable to capitalize. Despite being heavily outshot, the Kings struck late, scoring in the final 30 seconds to take a 1-0 lead into the intermission, with Nanaimo holding a 22-8 edge in shots.
The Clippers found their breakthrough early in the second as Indiana Grossbard and Charles Beland broke in on a 2-on-1. Grossbard attempted a cross-seam pass, but it deflected off a Kings defenceman’s stick and into the net, evening the score at 1-1. Nanaimo kept pushing the pace, and on the very next shift, Max Lapointe blasted a shot from the blue line that beat the goaltender but rang off the post and stayed out. Midway through the frame, the Clippers earned another power play, where Tanner Bruender came close to giving Nanaimo the lead, only to be denied by a sharp glove save from Kings netminder Erik Powers. The pressure continued late into the period, and another Powell River penalty ensured the Clippers would start the third period on the man advantage. After 40 minutes, Nanaimo held a commanding 43-19 edge in shots, but the game remained tied 1-1.
The Clippers began the third period with just over a minute remaining on the power play but were unable to break the 1-1 deadlock. Shortly after it expired, Will Subject fired a shot that missed the net but forced the Kings goaltender out of position. The puck bounced perfectly to Drew Roeloefs, who made no mistake, burying it into the open cage to give Nanaimo their first lead of the game. From there, the Clippers tightened up defensively, limiting Powell River’s chances. Max Lapointe delivered a thunderous hit at the blue line to halt a Kings rush, keeping momentum on Nanaimo’s side. Indiana Grossbard later created a breakaway after a steal but couldn’t convert. A late penalty to the Clippers gave Powell River a 6-on-4 advantage with the goalie pulled, but Miller Kay capitalized shorthanded into the empty net, with Roeloefs picking up the assist to complete a Gordie Howe hat trick. The Kings made things interesting with a goal in the final 30 seconds to cut the lead to 3-2, but Hayden Fechner sealed the win with another empty-net goal in the final second.
The three star of the game were awarded to Roeloefs, Kings goalie Erik Powers, and Indiana Grossbard. FortisBC Energy Player of the Game was earned by Max Lapointe.
The Clippers are back in action Sunday afternoon for a matinee matchup against the West Kelowna Warriors. Tickets can be purchased at Nanaimoclippers.com or the Frank Crane Arena box office on game day.
-Malcolm Cooke
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