By Malcom Cooke
The Nanaimo Clippers bounced back with a 3-1 win against the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Wednesday. The Clippers are back in the win column after Monday’s loss and retain first place in the Coastal Division with a 13-3 record. Aidan Campbell stopped 33 of 34 shots faced in the win. Goals came from Skylar Cameron, Charles Tardif, and Mike Murtagh.
Hometown defenceman Skylar Cameron opened the scoring a minute and a half into the first period. After two earlier chances were turned aside by Capitals goalie McCoy Bidewell, Cameron popped a rebound for his second goal of the year. Cowichan Valley scored midway through the first period to tie the game at 1-1. Despite the Clippers outshooting the Capitals 17-6, the first period ended in a 1-1 tie.
The second period started with Nanaimo getting a power-play after a scrum in the corner. With the advantage, Charles Tardif scored his fifth goal of the season to put the Clippers up 2-1. Just fifteen seconds later New York product, Mike Murtagh, scored his fifth of the season to push the Clippers' lead to 3-1. Jake Hewitt almost scored on a breakaway shortly after Murtagh, but the puck glanced off the crossbar.
The third period was devoid of scoring as the Clippers locked in defensively. Giving up 19 shots in the third, but keeping the majority outside of high-danger areas. Cowichan Valley took a penalty midway through the third and promptly killed it off. Time expired in the game and the Clippers emerged victorious. Aidan Campbell earned third star for his 33 saves. Jake Hewitt assisted on two goals and took home second star. Charles Tardiff earned first star for his game-winning goal in the second period. Joel Plante earned FortisBC Energy Player of the Game for his play on a line with Tardif and Hewitt.
The Nanaimo Clippers play again on Friday against division rival Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Tickets can be purchased at Nanaimoclippers.com or the Frank Crane box office on game day.
