VICTORIA – It seemed like the Grizzlies were one step ahead in the Clippers 5-2 loss on Saturday.
Nathan Looysen scored on the first shift of the game and TJ Friedmann put home a loose puck on a power play before the game was eight minutes old.
The 2-0 goal prompted Mike Vandekamp to swap goalie Austin Roden for backup Evan DeBrouwer.
In the second period Nanaimo got on the board with a power play goal by Tate Coughlin, it was the first goal on netminder Matthew Galajda in five periods in the weekend series.
The Clippers surrendered a goal to Friedmann just 58 seconds later and the period ended with the Grizzlies up 3-1.
Defenseman Brett Stirling made it 4-1 before a late breakaway goal by Matt Kowalski narrowed by the gap.
Jake Stevens empty net goal secured a 5-2 win as the Grizzlies outshot the Clippers 42-24.
Both teams connected on the power play with Nanaimo going 1/3 and Victoria cashing in at 1/6.
The Clippers have four more Island Division games in a row, at home to Alberni Valley Wednesday, at home to the Caps on Friday, in Duncan Saturday, and versus Victoria at home December 7th.
Nanaimo has gone 1-7-1-1 in a difficult month of November.
They are now exactly halfway through the season and hoping a visit from the Bulldogs will lead to a win to start the second half.
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Saturday’s Three Stars
1) TJ Friedmann 2g
2) Jake Stevens 1g 2a
3) Brett Sterling 1g
*** Photo Credit – Gary Dorland
