Nanaimo Clippers tighten up playoff series with home-ice win

The Nanaimo Clippers took advantage of home ice to make their playoff series a closer affair.

The Clippers defeated the Victoria Grizzlies by a 5-3 score on Tuesday, April 9, at Frank Crane Arena, and now trail the best-of-seven first-round series two games to one.

Nanaimo built a 2-0 lead in Game 3, but Victoria battled back to make it 2-2 by the second intermission. The Clippers got a goal early in the third, though, and were able to maintain their edge.

Joel Plante scored a pair of goals and Mike Murtagh, Noah Alvarez and Emmett McHardy were Nanaimo’s other goal scorers. Brett Merner had three assists and Chazz Nixon earned the win in goal, stopping 34 shots as his team was outshot 37-29.

GAME ON … The Clippers and Grizzlies play Game 4 on Wednesday, April 10, at 7 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena. For ticket information, visit www.nanaimoclippers.com.

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