Goaltender Cooper Black turned in a standout performance to backstop the host Nanaimo Clippers to a 2-1 sa国际传媒 Hockey League victory over the Victoria Grizzlies on Wednesday night at Frank Crane Arena.
The six-foot-eight Clippers goaltender, heading to Ivy League Dartmouth College of the NCAA Div. 1, made 42 saves to be named first star. Grizzlies goaltender Kyle Kelsey also had a strong game and was named third star with 29 saves.
The result halted Victoria’s four-game winning streak as the Grizzlies fell to 29-22. Nanaimo moved to 31-16-4.
Grizzlies captain Ellis Rickwood opened scoring in the first period to move his BCHL second-leading total to 79 points in 48 games played. Sean Donaldson, with his 34th goal of the season, and game second-star Kai Daniells, with his 20th for what turned out to be the winner, pulled Nanaimo into the lead in the second period.
Victoria has three regular-season games remaining, including home dates at The Q Centre on Friday night against the Cowichan Valley Capitals and Saturday against the Coquitlam Express, before closing out at Nanaimo on March 25.
Nanaimo also has three games remaining in the regular season. Both the Grizzlies and Clippers have clinched playoff berths.
