That trio scored all 6 Express goals and combined for 14 points in the win. Mike Krgovich led all skaters with his first BCHL hat-trick and added a pair of assists. Captain Garrick Perry also had a 5 point night with 2 goals and 3 assists. Jason Grecica had one goal and added 3 helpers.
The big night for Grecica, Perry and Krgovich started early in the first period with Mike Krgovich tapping the puck into the gaping Clipper net less than 3 minutes into the game.
Nanaimo tied the game in the second period when Ryan Stanimir finished off a 2 on 1 wiring a shot past Khaleed Devji.
Just under 4 minutes after Stanimir's tally, the Express re-stored their lead when Grecica poked the puck in just 10 seconds into the first Express powerplay.
Then came a key turning point. Zach Martin had a fantastic chance to tie the game, he got the puck in the high slot and he fired a quick shot, but Devji robbed him with a spectacular glove save to keep the Express in the lead.
Off the ensuing faceoff Perry and Krgovich broke out on a 2 on 1 and Perry made no mistake deking past Charles Alexey Premont. So instead of being in a 2-2 tie, the Express built a 3-1 lead.
In the final minute Perry added his second of the night off a faceoff in the Clippers zone. Perry quickly slid the puck past Premont to extened the Express lead to 3 with their second powerplay goal.
Nanaimo pressed in the third looking to get back into the game. Mike Domsodi pulled the Clippers back within 2 at 8:15 when he banged home the rebound of a Andrew Gladiuk shot.
Less than a minute later Cody Castro was called for kneeing, but Nanaimo couldn't score on the powerplay as the Express went a perfect 3 for 3 on the penalty kill. That capped off a perfect night for the Express on special teams as they went 2 for 2 on the powerplay.
Krgovich put the game away with less than 4 minutes to go as he tapped in his second of the night to re-store the Express 3 goal lead.
Nanaimo showed some desperation in the final 90 seconds as they pulled Premont for the extra attacker. The Clippers did score once with the 6th skater as Zach Martin scored on a wrap around at 18:49.
Then in the final minute with an empty cage facing Perry and Krgovich looking for a hat-trick, Perry played the puck up to Krgovich who hit the empty 6x4 from his own zone to put icing on the cake of the Express victory.
The win moved the Express even with Cowichan Valley for the 7th and final playoff spot with the Express still having two games in hand.
It is now back on the bus for the Express as they will head to the Interior this weekend starting Friday in Penticton. The trip will then take them to Vernon Saturday, Trail Sunday and the first of a home and home with Langley Thursday at the Langley Events Centre.
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