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Coastal Playoff Update: Win badly needed by Clips

It's a tale of two series in the Coastal Conference, where the Chiefs and Eagles sit tied after two games while the Nanaimo Clippers need a solid effort on home ice to keep their series with Cowichan Valley from meeting an early end.

Cowichan Valley (2) at Nanaimo (0) — 7:00 PM, Frank Crane Arena

As far as disappointing defeats go, it doesn't get much worse than what the Nanaimo Clippers experienced on the road in Cowichan Valley on Friday night. Leading 3-1 entering the third period, the Caps got one early and another very late (with just 12 seconds remaining in regulation) to set up an overtime win.

A night later, Cowichan's power-play notched all its goals in a 3-1 win.

The Clippers have a few things on their side entering Game 3 on Monday, however, including a home arena that should be packed and loud against Nanaimo's fiercest rival. But to break through, they'll need to put more pucks on Capitals netminder Chris Rawlings than the 23 they sent his way Saturday.

They'll also need to limit the opportunities given to the Cowichan power play, which has struck four times on 15 chances through two games.

Capitals forward Chris Zaires is tied for the early scoring lead with four points through two games — even with Langley Chiefs power forward Milos Gordic.


Langley (1) at Surrey (1) — 7:00 PM, South Surrey Arena

It's tough to say who owns the momentum entering Game 3 action in Surrey on Monday night. While the Eagles grabbed home-ice advantage by splitting a pair of games in Langley, it was the Chiefs that picked up a decisive 6-1 victory on Saturday night.

One key in Monday's game will be setting a physical tone following a penalty-filled outing on Saturday, while the Eagles will look to shave some shots off the 35 sent Tommy Tartaglione's way two nights ago.

While both teams' special teams failed to click in Game 1, the Chiefs showed how quickly that could change by burying three power-play tallies a night later. Surrey will need to limit man-advantage opportunities and capitalize on some of their own odd-man chances; they are 0-for-9 through two games.

When the Chiefs brought aboard netminder Joe Rodwell at the midseason point, they hoped he'd bring experience and composure. So far, so good through two games, as Rodwell has allowed just three goals on 59 shots and earned first and third star honours.