CHILLIWACK 4
NANAIMO 1
A strange pattern is developing in Round 3 of the B.C. Hockey League playoffs as a home team has failed to record a victory in the first three games of the three-team, double round-robin format.
The Island Division-champion Nanaimo Clippers were the latest to fall, dropping a 4-1 decision to the visiting Chilliwack Chiefs before 1,740 fans at Frank Crane Arena on Saturday night.
The Clippers, Chiefs and West Kelowna Warriors all now have 1-1 records as they play home-and-away games against each other to determine the two league finalists. West Kelowna beat Chilliwack 5-1 on Tuesday at Prospera Centre before Nanaimo bounced the Warriors 4-1 at Royal LePage Place on Thursday.
On Saturday, Jake Smith recorded the first goal at 6:59 of the second period and Kale Kane added a power-play goal just 1:03 later as the visitors silenced the home crowd. Sheldon Rempal replied for Nanaimo 1:23 later to bring some life into the building.
Chiefs captain Jordan Kawaguchi added an insurance marker 6:20 into the third and Darien Craighead added an empty-net goal as the Clippers let a great opportunity slip away.
A Nanaimo win, followed by a victory Monday in Chilliwack, would have guaranteed a second straight trip to the league final for the Clippers, having lost in six games to Penticton last season.
Aidan Pelino made 34 saves in goal for Chilliwack while Evan Johnson faced 31 shots in the Nanaimo net.
