Special Teams Fireworks in First but Clippers Prevail 5–3
It was a wild, penalty-filled opening period Friday night, but the Nanaimo Clippers came out on top with a 5–3 win over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
Nanaimo opened the scoring at 2:36 through Caden Okovita, but the Bulldogs quickly responded with a surge of their own.
At 3:15, Eric Lund tied the game, assisted by Grady Magner and Charlie Vincent.
The special teams battle intensified midway through the period. At 15:05, Grady Magner scored on the power play, with assists from Kye Benoche and Brendan DeFeo, giving Alberni Valley momentum.
Nanaimo answered at 18:02 with a shorthanded goal from Miller Kay, swinging the momentum back.
Just 39 seconds later, Kye Benoche restored the Bulldogs’ lead at 18:41 on the power play, with Derik Brouillard collecting the assist.
The back-and-forth continued as Jack Rimmer tied the game for Nanaimo at 19:27 on the power play, capping a dramatic first period filled with penalties, momentum shifts, and a game misconduct that saw the Bulldogs’ bench leadership ejected late in the frame.
After a scoreless second period, Nanaimo broke the 3–3 deadlock in the third and added an empty-net goal to secure the 5–3 final.
Derik Brouillard made 48 saves in net for Alberni Valley as Nanaimo finished with a 53–27 shot advantage. The Bulldogs went 2-for-4 on the power play, while the Clippers were 1-for-6.
Despite the result, it was a high-intensity night defined by special teams and playoff-style energy from start to finish.
Bulldogs look to bounce back when they hit home ice tomorrow night vs. Prince George Spruce Kings.
Early Bird Season Tickets on sale at the Box Office/Team Store. Get them quick!
