Post Game Recap – Mar. 22nd, 2026

The Nanaimo Clippers dropped a 4-1 decision to the West Kelowna Warriors in a fast-paced contest where special teams played a decisive role. After a tight opening, the Warriors struck on the power play and added a shorthanded goal in the first period to seize early control. Nanaimo pushed back with sustained pressure in the second but couldn’t solve the Warriors’ goaltender, while West Kelowna added a late goal to extend the lead. The Clippers showed signs of life in the third with a shorthanded marker from Miller Kay, but the Warriors quickly responded to put the game out of reach. A late four-minute power play, including a full two-minute 5-on-3, gave Nanaimo a final opportunity to claw back, but they were unable to capitalize.

Both teams came out cautiously in the opening minutes, feeling each other out before the game began to open up. Nanaimo earned the first power play opportunity of the night, but despite generating a few quality looks, the Warriors’ goaltender stood tall to keep the game scoreless. Midway through the period, the Clippers were sent to the penalty kill, and West Kelowna capitalized, striking on the power play to take a 1-0 lead. Shortly after, Matthew Hutchison came up with a highlight-reel sprawling save to keep Nanaimo within one, while also drawing a penalty to send the Clippers back to the man advantage. However, momentum quickly swung the other way as the Warriors found the back of the net shorthanded, extending their lead to 2-0. Hayden Fechner nearly responded with an individual effort, dancing through the defence, but was unable to solve the goaltender. The period maintained a fast pace throughout, with West Kelowna carrying a 2-0 lead into the intermission.

The second period continued at a fast pace, with both teams trading chances, but the Clippers were unable to capitalize. Nanaimo established strong offensive zone pressure for stretches, generating opportunities but unable to beat the Warriors’ goaltender.
Despite the Clippers’ push, the period remained scoreless for much of the frame. As time wound down, West Kelowna struck in the final minutes, extending their lead to 3-0 heading into the third.

Nanaimo showed life in the final frame, breaking through with a shorthanded goal as Miller Kay found the back of the net to cut into the deficit. However, any momentum was short-lived, as West Kelowna responded later in the period to restore their three-goal advantage.
The Clippers were handed a prime opportunity to claw back into the game when a double-minor high-sticking penalty gave them a four-minute power play. That chance grew even bigger when another penalty resulted in a full two minutes of 5-on-3, but Nanaimo was unable to convert, ultimately sealing their fate.

The Clippers are back in action at home on Friday and Saturday. The Chilliwack Chiefs and Victoria Grizzlies come to town in the final homestand of the regular season. Tickets can be purchased at nanaimoclippers.com or the Frank Crane box office on game day.

-Malcolm Cooke

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