Clippers defeat the Langley Rivermen in Overtime

#35 Chazz Nixon makes a key glove save late in the third period.

By Malcom Cooke

The Nanaimo Clippers emerged victorious on Friday night, taking down the Langley Rivermen 2-1 in overtime. The game was a goalie duel that saw Chazz Nixon and Langley's Charlie Tritt make more than 30 saves. The Rivermen took an early lead before Andrew Brown scored to tie the game in the second period. Cole Lonsdale netted the game-winner only twenty seconds into overtime.

The game got off to an intense start as Langley’s Ryan Schelling capitalized early, putting the Rivermen up 1-0. The period was marked by a series of penalties that kept both teams on edge. Langley’s Jackson Potulny was the first to head to the box, followed shortly by Conner Haynes, who received a penalty for the Clippers. Tempers continued to flare as coincidental minors were assessed to, Carson Lesuik of Nanaimo and Ethan Merner of Langley midway through the period. The Rivermen maintained their advantage as the period wound down, with Nanaimo’s Elliot Perrault receiving a late penalty to close out the first. Nanaimo outshot Langley 14-13 through twenty minutes.

Perrault's penalty was killed off by the Clippers' penalty kill unit. The Clippers found an answer midway through the second period when Andrew Brown scored, tying the game at 1-1 and energizing the Nanaimo bench. Soon after, Langley’s Hunter Curtis took a hooking penalty for bringing down Cole Lonsdale, who was charging in on a partial breakaway. The game intensity continued to rise, and Langley’s Dalton MacGillivray was handed a penalty late in the period as the physical play ramped up. The Clippers continued to pepper the Rivermen net in the second period, firing 17 shots to Langley's 10 for a two-period total of 31-23.

Both goaltenders took center stage in a scoreless third period. Nanaimo’s Chazz Nixon made several spectacular saves late in regulation to keep the game tied. Despite strong offensive chances on both sides, the teams headed into overtime deadlocked. Langley finally managed to out shoot Nanaimo 11-9 in the third for a three-period total of 40-34 for the home team.

Just 20 seconds into the overtime period, Cole Lonsdale notched his sixth goal of the season to cap off the fifth win of the season for the Clippers.

Lonsdale earned himself the first star of the game for his heroics. Goalies Charlie Tritt and Chazz Nixon rounded out the second and third stars, respectively. FortisBC Energy Player of the Game was awarded to Elliot Perrault.

The Clippers go on the road Saturday night to face the Victoria Grizzlies. The next chance to catch the Clippers at home is on Friday, November 15th, when they face off against the Powell River Kings. Tickets can be purchased at the Frank Crane box office on game day or at tickets.nanaimoclippers.com.