Two goals by Jeremie Payant and 43 saves from Cooper Black led the Clippers to a 4-3 win over the Cowichan Valley Capitals.  (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Hanging On

Clippers win third straight in 4-3 nailbiter versus Cowichan

Mar 19, 2022 | 10:23 PM

NANAIMO — The Clippers won their third game in a row and now have a 5-0-2 record in their last seven contests after defeating the Capitals 4-3.

Nanaimo never trailed but had to survive a frantic finish at the Cowichan Community Centre.

The Clippers led 1-0 after the first period thanks to Max Itagaki’s 27th goal of the year.

Jeremie Payant notched a second period tally but the game was even at 2-2 through 40 minutes.

Payant and Sean Donaldson staked Nanaimo to a 4-2 lead in the third but a disputed goal by David Jacobs brought the game to 4-3 with five minutes to play.

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The Clippers believed the puck was deflected by a high stick.

Jacobs played a massive role in the game with two goals and an assist.

He was also awarded a penalty shot with three seconds left in the game when the Clippers were called for knocking their net off of it’s supports.

The call was hotly disputed with that particular goal being dislodged several times by both teams throughout the game.

Cooper Black made one of his 43 saves on the penalty shot to preserve the win.

Nanaimo was outshot 46-44 while going 0/2 on the power play and 4/5 killing penalties.

The Clippers moved into second place in the Coastal Division with the win, but Alberni Valley has clinched first.

Cowichan must wait for the outcome of the Surrey versus Powell River game on Sunday to determine if they will get the final Coastal playoff spot.

Nanaimo’s next opponent is the Coquitlam Express at home at 2 p.m. on Sunday March 20.

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