The Clippers staved off elimination with a 5-4 overtime win in Chilliwack. Nanaimo trails the best of seven series 3-1 with Game 5 slated for Frank Crane Arena April 21. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Stayin' Alive

Payant’s overtime winner forces Game 5 in Clippers versus Chiefs series

Apr 19, 2023 | 11:09 PM

NANAIMO — With their season on the line three of the Clippers graduating players combined on a season saving overtime goal.

Jeremie Payant scored at 14:55 of the extra session on a play started by Brody Waters and Jake Hewitt to give Nanaimo a 5-4 victory.

It capped off a night of lead changes and intense hockey at the Chilliwack Coliseum.

Kai Daniells opened the scoring within the first five minutes but goals 33 seconds apart by Michael La Starza and Nico Grabas put the Chiefs on top 2-1.

The La Starza goal was on the borderline of being put in with a high stick but the play was never reviewed by the officials.

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Hewitt tied the game in the middle frame with a short handed goal and Waters earned the Clippers a 40 minute lead with a top corner shot on a breakaway.

The Chiefs then evened the game on a power play deflection by Dylan Kinch early in the third period only to see Hewitt score another shorthanded goal at the seven minute mark.

It was Hewitt’s third shorthanded goal in the past two games.

With 50 seconds left Chilliwack tied it again on a tip in by AJ Lacroix.

The goal was scored with six attackers and the Chiefs net empty.

Both Shane Shelest and Chilliwack goalie Lucas Szyszka were strong in the overtime before Payant ended the night.

The final shots were 41-32 for the Chiefs with Nanaimo finishing 0/4 on the power play and 4/5 on the penalty kill.

The Clippers top line of Waters, Hewitt and Daniells combined for seven points in the Game 4 victory.

Nanaimo now trails the best of seven series 3-1 with a Game 5 set for Frank Crane Arena on Friday April 21.

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