Post Game Recap – April 9th, 2026

The Nanaimo Clippers staged an impressive comeback to defeat the Alberni Valley Bulldogs 4–2 in Game 2 of the playoffs, taking a 2–0 lead in the series. Alberni Valley struck first for the second straight game, jumping out to a 2–0 lead after capitalizing on early chances. Nanaimo struggled to generate offense through much of the first two periods but found life late in the second when Tanner Bruender got them on the board. The Clippers carried that momentum into the third, where Sam Boisvert tied the game on the power play. A crucial goal-line save from Elliot Seguin Lescarbeau kept the game even during a tense stretch. With time winding down, Jack Rimmer found the go-ahead goal on a surprise shot that beat the Bulldogs netminder. Rimmer added an empty-netter to secure the win, completing the Clippers’ third-period surge.

The Alberni Valley Bulldogs opened the scoring for a second straight game, capitalizing on a scramble in front of the net to take an early lead over the Nanaimo Clippers.
Coincidental penalties midway through the period led to a stretch of 4-on-4 action, but neither side was able to find the back of the net. Charles Beland nearly shifted the momentum when he broke free for a partial breakaway, only to be hooked and draw a penalty. However, the Clippers’ power play struggled to get set up, and the opportunity slipped away without a goal. The Bulldogs extended their lead to 2–0 later in the frame, taking advantage of a broken play to beat the Clippers’ defense. Nanaimo pushed back late in the period with sustained pressure, but couldn’t solve the goaltender, heading into the first intermission trailing by two.

In the second period, the Nanaimo Clippers were handed an early opportunity when Hayden Fechner was hit from behind, drawing a penalty. Despite a promising 2-on-1 chance on the ensuing power play, Nanaimo couldn’t convert. The Clippers were then set to receive a four-minute man advantage after a high-sticking call, but the opportunity was cut short when Caden Okovita was assessed a penalty of his own. Nanaimo continued to struggle generating sustained offensive pressure throughout the period. After some post-whistle scrums late in the frame, the Clippers earned another power play—and this time they capitalized. Tanner Bruender found the back of the net to get the home side on the board, cutting the deficit to 2–1 heading into the second intermission

In the third period, the Nanaimo Clippers pushed hard to find the equalizer, and their opportunity came on the power play. Sam Boisvert delivered, wiring home a shot to tie the game 2–2. Moments later, Elliot Seguin Lescarbeau came up with a game-saving play, swiping the puck off the goal line as it danced dangerously close to giving the Alberni Valley Bulldogs the lead. Boisvert thought he had struck again soon after, but a video review ruled the goal off for a kicking motion. With time winding down, Jack Rimmer sent a seemingly harmless shot toward the Bulldogs net, but it slipped through the goaltender to give Nanaimo a late lead. Rimmer added an empty-net goal to seal the victory, as the Clippers completed the comeback to win 4–2 and take a 2–0 series lead

Three stars: 1st – Jack Rimmer, 2nd – Sam Boisvert, 3rd – Derick Broulliard; FortisBC Energy Player of the Game: Charles Beland.

The post Post Game Recap – April 9th, 2026 appeared first on Nanaimo Clippers.