The Nanaimo Clippers came out flying on Friday night, earning a 6-3 win over the hometown Express. Despite unfavorable result on the ice, the annual Teddy Bear Toss was a big success thanks to the generous Coquitlam crowd.
Nanaimo established a high pressure forecheck early, disrupting the Express transition game early. Clippers forward Devin Brosseau took advantage of a turnover caused by pressure, opening the game’s scoring at 5:12.
Later in the period, Nanaimo defenseman, Edwin Hookenson made a quick pass up ice to Korey Morgan, who broke in 2-on-1 on the Express net. He kept and slide it past Gordie Defiel to make it 2-0. That was followed 60 seconds later on a goal by Sheldon Rempal who one-timed a strong rebound off the back boards. The Express were outshot 16-7 in the 1st Period.
The fans at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Centre had their opportunity to toss their teddy’s early in the 2nd Period when Canon Pieper wired a shot top corner on Tanner Kovacs at 3:19.
The Clippers showed an innate ability to match the Express goal for goal from that point of the game on. Just 3:25 after the Pieper goal, Brendan Taylor snapped a shot past Defiel to extend the lead to 4-1.
Bo Pieper pulled the Express back within two as he got his own rebound off a shot that hit the end boards and snapped it past Kovacs at 16:14.
Shortly thereafter, Nick Guerra would re-establish the 3-goal lead when he potted his own rebound after taking the puck hard to the net.
Bo Pieper would bring the home side back within 2-goals with his 2nd of the night. His backhander beat Kovacs, giving the Express an opportunity to chip away with 15:00 minutes to go.
Korey Morgan added his second of the game into an empty net to round out the scoring.
The Express will have a day of rest before traveling to Surrey on Sunday afternoon.
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