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Clippers Come From Behind To Sting Grizzlies In Overtime

Above Photo: Sophie’s Photographys

 

Nanaimo, BC ~ The Victoria Grizzlies fell to the Nanaimo Clippers on Friday night at the Frank Crane Arena 5-4 in overtime after losing a 4-2 lead in the third period.

 

Victoria jumped ahead just past the 10:00 minute mark of the first when Reegan Hiscock (17th) buried a rebound after a point shot from Brody Juck was turned aside by Nanaimo netminder Vladimir Nikitin. Juck was making his debut with the Grizzlies after a trade from the Spruce Grove Saints earlier this week.

 

Nanaimo tied it with less than a minute remaining in the first when Dylan Kinch capped a net front scramble on the powerplay.

 

Seamus Latta had the lone goal of the second period giving the Grizzlies a 2-1 advantage after 40. Latta entered into the Nanaimo zone on the left wing and ripped a wrist shot top shelf from the far circle for his eighth of the year.

 

Early in the third period the Clippers would tie before Vladimir Nikitin misplayed a bouncing puck in on him from Jacksenn Hungle. The puck bounced between his legs from inside the blueline giving the Grizzlies a 3-2 lead on a crazy play. Less than a minute later Seamus Latta struck again putting Victoria up by two. Landon Mackie hit the post of a draw and Seamus Latta forced the puck home with Nikitin in desperation mode.

 

Nanaimo would not go away however as first Chase Hull pulled them within one after the Grizzlies coughed up the puck in their own zone. The Clippers were vastly outplayed the rest of the period however tied the game with the net empty and Makaio Van Tassel taking a cross ice pass and firing the puck home for a late equalizer with under two minutes to play.

 

Victoria, playing in their 13th overtime of the season, got a two on one in the first five seconds but couldn’t finish. Dylan Kinch brought the puck the other way two on one and fired it low blocker on Grizzlies netminder Kyle Kelsey for the game winner and his second of the game.

 

The Grizzlies controlled the run of play for the majority of the game however Nanaimo was able to capitalize on some Grizzlies mishaps which turned the game from a two goal lead to a tie game with all momentum on Nanaimo’s side. The final shots were 43 to 31 in favor of Victoria.

 

Kyle Kesley made 26 saves on 31 shots for Victoria while Vladimir Nikitin made 39 saves on 43 shots for Nanaimo.

 

The Grizzlies are back in action tomorrow night from the Q Centre for “HMCS Vancouver” Night when they host the Prince George Spruce Kings at 6:00 PM. You can claim your tickets by CLICKING HERE.