The Nanaimo Clippers have a lot to show for their midweek road trip.

The B.C. Hockey League team built some character, gained some confidence and tallied three out of four points in the standings.

The Clips (9-8-1-4) tied the Salmon Arm Silverbacks 2-2 Tuesday, then defeated the Surrey Eagles 3-2 in overtime the following day.

Joe Perry, an alternate captain on the Clippers, liked how his team – suffering from the flu – handled the challenge of playing a tricky road schedule against elite competition.

"We battled through adversity and it shows some real character in our team," Perry said.

Luc-Olivier Blain and Perry had the goals Tuesday in the Interior, and Nanaimo could have had more if not for a 40-save effort from 'Backs goalie Tony Ierfino. Nanaimo's starter Loic Boivin was also strong with 24 saves.

After an early wake-up call Wednesday, the Clippers recovered from a slow start against the Eagles. Blain and Victor Newell scored second-period goals and defenceman Tyler Mah fired home the winner four minutes into the first OT frame. Cody Bremner assisted on all three goals, Teal Burns had two helpers and Mark Segal made 29 saves for the win.

Suddenly, the Clips are 4-0-1 in their last five games and threatening to move up the Coastal Conference standings.

"At the beginning of the year we just couldn't play all at the same time. One line could play well and the other line was awful," Blain said. "Now all four lines are playing perfect and the D men are playing perfect too and the goalies are huge for us."

Perry said a lot of it comes down to confidence.

"We believe in ourself, we believe in our goalies now," he said. "We're putting in the effort to play 60 minutes every night."

GAME ON … The Clippers take on the Burnaby Express (7-12-0-3)Friday (Nov. 13) at 7:30 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena. Nanaimo will then host the Cowichan Valley Capitals (6-16-0-1) Sunday at 3 p.m. at Frank Crane … Please look for a preview of that game in Saturday's News Bulletin.

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