(Submitted by Alex Hoegler, BCHL communications)
The Nanaimo Clippers overcame a 1-0 deficit on the road to get a huge win over the West Kelowna Warriors, and are now one-third of the way to clinching a berth in the Fred Page Cup Finals.
After Connor Sodergren opened the scoring for the home team 16:06 into the first period, Sheldon Rempal tied it up with 1:13 to go before intermission. The second period was scoreless, setting the stage for a third period that was all Clippers.
Matthew Hoover scored a pair of goals to open up the final frame, scoring at 9:15 of the third before adding an empty-netter with 1:10 to go. Rempal added his second of the night, another empty net goal just 14 seconds later to give the Clippers a 4-1 win.
A win would have put West Kelowna one win away from punching their tickets to the Finals, but Rempal and Hoover, combined with an excellent night from goaltender Evan Johnson thwarted that. Johnson stopped 37 of 38 shots faced and was named 1st Star, while Matthew Greenfield made 33 saves for the Warriors.
The Clippers will host the Chilliwack Chiefs on Saturday at 7 p.m. West Kelowna won’t play until April 6, when the Chiefs come to town with puck drop set for 7 p.m.
