Post Game Recap – Jan. 30th, 2026

The Clippers set the tone early and never looked back, jumping out to a 3–0 lead in the first period behind two goals from Samuel Boisvert. Nanaimo continued to roll in the second, as Miller Kay scored his first goal with the Clippers and Harrison Boldt followed to make it 5–0, forcing a goaltending change for Alberni Valley. Alberni Valley attempted to spark momentum with a fight, but Landon Pappas answered and the Clippers stayed in control. The Bulldogs pushed late with the help of a power play, but Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau was steady in goal. Alberni Valley broke the shutout midway through the third, and Nanaimo skated away with a 5–1 win.

Prior to puck drop, a moment of silence was observed in memory of Gary Dorland, Mel Bridges, and Alberni Valley play-by-play broadcaster Evan Hammond.

After a brief delay in starting the game due to a malfunctioning gate, the Clippers came out flying, with Tanner Bruender nearly opening the scoring in the first 10 seconds after winning the opening faceoff and driving hard to the net. Nanaimo didn’t need long to strike, as Samuel Boisvert scored his first of the game less than 30 seconds in to give the home side a 1–0 lead. Nanaimo continued to generate chances and was later awarded a penalty shot after Hayden Fechner was slashed on a breakaway, though the opportunity went unfinished. Following coincidental penalties that resulted in four-on-four play, the Clippers earned their first power play of the night when a Bulldogs player attempted to make a play with a broken stick. On the ensuing man advantage, Nanaimo capitalized, with Charles Beland tipping Patty Fortune’s shot past the goaltender. A video review confirmed the puck was not played with a high stick, extending the lead. The Clippers went back to the power play later in the period, and once again it paid off. Boisvert struck for his second goal of the period, pushing Nanaimo’s lead to 3–0. Penalties to both teams in the final minutes disrupted the flow, but no further scoring followed, and the Clippers headed into the first intermission holding a 3–0 advantage.

Once again, the Clippers opened the period with authority, as Patty Fortune nearly scored right off the opening faceoff. Nanaimo broke through five minutes into the frame when Miller Kay scored his first goal as a Clipper after the Bulldogs’ netminder mishandled the puck behind his own net. Just two minutes later, the Clippers struck again. Harrison Boldt tipped a slap pass from Sebastian Miles past the goaltender to make it 5–0, a goal that prompted Alberni Valley to make a change in net as Derrick Brouillard entered the game. Looking to swing momentum, the Bulldogs tried to spark their bench by initiating a fight. Landon Pappas answered the challenge and stood up for his teammates. Following the altercation, Alberni Valley began to push back and generated sustained pressure, but Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau was sharp, making a smart play to cover the puck and settle things down. A late penalty to the Clippers meant Nanaimo would head into the second intermission still up 5–0, but facing a penalty kill to start the third period.

Alberni Valley came out firing to start the third period with the man advantage, but Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau stood tall, turning aside every scoring chance to preserve the Clippers’ lead. The Bulldogs continued to push and midway through the period finally broke through, tipping a shot past Seguin-Lescarbeau to end the shutout. Nanaimo had a pair of power play opportunities late in the period but was unable to add to the scoring. With no further goals, the Clippers closed out a strong performance and skated away with a 5–1 victory.

The three stars of the game were awarded to Samuel Boisvert, Patty Fortune, and Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau. FortisBC Energy Player of the Game was given to Landon Pappas for his tilt. 

The Clippers play again on Saturday, welcoming the Coquitlam Express. Tickets can be purchased at nanaimoclippers.com or the Frank Crane Box office on gameday. 

-Malcolm Cooke

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