Reid Sturos scored a pair of goals and Derek Dun made 30 saves as Nanaimo knocked off the Express 5-2 Saturday night.
Nanaimo opened up a 2-0 lead on the Express after the first period on goals by Garrett Brandsma and Sturos' first of the game.
The Express opened up the second period with a strong push looking to get back into the game. It was in the middle frame where Dun began to send a message that he was going to be very tough to beat on this night. His athleticism came to the forefront on a number of Express chances.
Midway through the period came a key turning point in the game. Dun make a spectacular paddle save off Ben Israel at one end. Then Nanaimo quickly moved the puck the other way and Sturos was in behind the Express defence and cut to the net and snapped a shot over the shoulder of Cole Huggins to give Nanaimo a 3-0 lead instead of the lead being cut down to 2-1.
The Express were finally rewarded for their strong play as Will Cook who returned to the lineup snapped home his 7th of the season to get the Express on the board.
Minutes later the Express couldn't take advantage of a 5 on 3 that could have cut the deficit back down to a goal.
The second period belonged to the Express with a 14-7 advantage in shots but Dun kept the Express at bay.
Mason Mitchell scored midway through the third period after a number of chances for the Clippers before he finally tapped it past Cole Huggins.
Marc Biega scored off the rush to pull the Express back within two before the game was sealed for Nanaimo when Greg Fraser scored into the empty net.
Despite the loss, the Express can take away from the strong effort they put forth in this one. They finished the final 40 minutes outshooting the Clippers 24-18.
The Express next weekend will host the Prince George Spruce Kings for a pair of games Friday and Sunday.
Nanaimo opened up a 2-0 lead on the Express after the first period on goals by Garrett Brandsma and Sturos' first of the game.
The Express opened up the second period with a strong push looking to get back into the game. It was in the middle frame where Dun began to send a message that he was going to be very tough to beat on this night. His athleticism came to the forefront on a number of Express chances.
Midway through the period came a key turning point in the game. Dun make a spectacular paddle save off Ben Israel at one end. Then Nanaimo quickly moved the puck the other way and Sturos was in behind the Express defence and cut to the net and snapped a shot over the shoulder of Cole Huggins to give Nanaimo a 3-0 lead instead of the lead being cut down to 2-1.
The Express were finally rewarded for their strong play as Will Cook who returned to the lineup snapped home his 7th of the season to get the Express on the board.
Minutes later the Express couldn't take advantage of a 5 on 3 that could have cut the deficit back down to a goal.
The second period belonged to the Express with a 14-7 advantage in shots but Dun kept the Express at bay.
Mason Mitchell scored midway through the third period after a number of chances for the Clippers before he finally tapped it past Cole Huggins.
Marc Biega scored off the rush to pull the Express back within two before the game was sealed for Nanaimo when Greg Fraser scored into the empty net.
Despite the loss, the Express can take away from the strong effort they put forth in this one. They finished the final 40 minutes outshooting the Clippers 24-18.
The Express next weekend will host the Prince George Spruce Kings for a pair of games Friday and Sunday.
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