Cooper Black was the first star with a 38 save performance in Alberni Valley. Nanaimo won 5-1 to overtake the Bulldogs for third place in the Coastal Division. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Blackout

Black backstops Clippers to 5-1 win in Alberni Valley

Jan 19, 2022 | 10:14 PM

NANAIMO — Cooper Black rebounded from a difficult outing against the Langley Rivermen by guiding the Clippers to a 5-1 win in Alberni Valley.

Black made 38 saves and fought through an injury to get his 17th win of the season.

Nanaimo was outshot 41-32 and their number one goalie twice left the ice after being shaken up in the third period but put on a show between the pipes on the way to a first star selection.

Jed Baliotti briefly came into the game twice but coach Darren Naylor confirmed afterwards it was only a minor injury to Black.

At the other end of the ice Nanaimo scored three goals in the first six minutes of the first period to take control of the contest.

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Ethan Mistry, Luca Grabas and Austin Spiridakis on the power play sparked the offence.

Kai Daniells added a pair of third period goals, one into an empty net, and finished with a three point night.

The Clippers record is now 19-11 leaving them tied with Langley for the most wins in the Coastal Division.

They also leapfrogged Alberni Valley in the standings with a superior winning percentage.

With two games left in the season series Nanaimo has a 4-1 record against their island rivals.

Island rivalries will be the theme of the week with home games Jan. 21 versus Cowichan Valley and Jan 23. versus Victoria.

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