Post Game Recap – April 3rd, 2026
Game 1 of the 2026 playoffs saw the Nanaimo Clippers battle back in dramatic fashion to defeat the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. Alberni Valley held the lead for much of the night, striking first and carrying a 3–2 advantage into the third period. Nanaimo responded with persistence, highlighted by a power play goal from Tanner Breunder to tie the game late. Charles Beland played a key role throughout, contributing offensively and physically, while Elliot Seguin Lescarbeaumade timely saves to keep the Clippers within reach. With overtime looming, Blake Jones delivered the decisive moment, scoring in the final seconds to secure the win. The tightly contested matchup featured strong special teams play and momentum swings throughout, setting the tone for what promises to be a competitive playoff series.
The Alberni Valley Bulldogs opened the scoring on a sharp-angle shot, taking an early lead. Just two minutes later, the Nanaimo Clippers responded, as Charles Beland found the back of the net to even the game. Alberni Valley quickly regained the lead shortly after Nanaimo tied it, restoring their advantage. Beland continued to make his presence felt throughout the period, delivering a reverse hit that sent a Bulldogs player flying. Late in the frame, the Clippers took their first penalty and were forced to finish the period shorthanded, but managed to successfully kill it off. Nanaimo held a slight edge in shots, 12–11, through 20 minutes.
The Alberni Valley Bulldogs struck early once again to open the middle frame, extending their lead to 3–1. The Nanaimo Clippers generated a strong chance in tight shortly after but were unable to beat the Alberni netminder.
A few minutes into the period, Nanaimo found life during a net-front scramble, as Sam Boisvert tapped home a goal to cut the deficit to 3–2. Late in the period, Elliot Seguin Lescarbeau came up with a spectacular save to keep the game within one. The Clippers were assessed another penalty in the frame but successfully killed it off. Shortly after, Nanaimo earned a power play opportunity of their own late in the period. While they were unable to convert before the buzzer, they carried over 30 seconds of power play time into the third period
The Nanaimo Clippers began the period on the power play but were unable to capitalize on the early opportunity. The third period settled into a slower pace, marked by frequent whistles and stoppages. Charles Beland came close to tying the game, ringing a shot off the post.
Midway through the frame, Nanaimo earned their second power play of the game, and this time they made it count. Tanner Breunder found the back of the net to even the score with less than seven minutes remaining. As the clock wound down, overtime appeared imminent, but Blake Jones had other ideas. With under a minute to play, Jones stepped into a shot from the point and buried the game-winning goal in the final seconds, sealing Game 1 for the Clippers.
The three stars of the game were given to Jones, Bulldog forward Brandon Gill, and Charles Beland. FortisBC Energy Player of the Game was earned by Sam Boisvert.
-Malcolm Cooke
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