NANAIMO — Max Itagaki was the offensive hero for the Clippers in a 7-5 victory over the Grizzlies.
Itagaki had four goals in the game, three of them set up by linemate Sean Donaldson.
Nanaimo was down 2-0 after the first period and the teams exchanged seven goals in the second.
Brody Waters scored the Clippers first goal on a deflection and by the end of the middle frame Itagaki already had a hat trick despite his team being down 5-4.
His fourth of the contest cued a three goal third period with Keighan Gerrie and Andrew Noel wrapping up the scoring.
Rookie phenom Matthew Wood had a strong game for the Grizzlies with two goals and the league’s top offensive defenceman Clark Hiebert chipped in with four assists for Victoria.
Nanaimo was outshot 39-32 with Jed Baliotti taking the win in net.
The Clippers were 1/4 on the man advantage and 2/3 killing penalties.
It was the first win for the team’s interim coaching tandem of Bob Beatty and Ken McPhalen.
With the victory Nanaimo jumps back into third place in the Coastal Division with a 26-14-1-1 record.
They now take on the second place Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Feb. 21 at 2 p.m.
Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.
info@nanaimonewsnow.com
Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW
