Shane Shelest made 36 saves and Jeremie Payant had a goal and two assists in the Clippers 3-1 win over the Chilliwack Chiefs in Game 5 of their playoff series. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Building Momentum

Shelest backstops Clippers to 3-1 Game 5 victory over Chilliwack

Apr 21, 2023 | 10:14 PM

NANAIMO — In a second straight must win playoff game the Clippers defeated the Chilliwack Chiefs.

Nanaimo won 3-1 on the strength of 36 saves by Shane Shelest and some timely offense for Jeremie Payant.

Shelest gave up a break away goal by Michael La Starza 14 minutes into the game and slammed the door shut the rest of the way.

Chilliwack’s lead lasted only 32 seconds before Joel Plante scored his first goal of the playoffs to even the game at 1-1.

In the middle frame Shelest made important saves in tight on Tim Delay and Mason Kesselring.

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Then with the Clippers a man short Jeremie Payant snapped a wrist shot high over the glove of Lucas Szyszka to give Nanaimo a lead they would not relinquish.

The Chiefs best chance in the third was on an in close opportunity by Bryan Jones who was shut down by Shelest.

Ethan Mistry delivered the final blow with an empty netter with two seconds left in the game.

Payant finished with a goal and two assists and with his latest marker Nanaimo has five shorthanded goals in the series.

In a strange twist the Clippers normally potent play has gone 0/22 including an 0/4 outing in Game 5.

With back to back wins Nanaimo now trails the best of seven series 3-2.

They’ll travel to Chilliwack for Game 6 on Sunday April 23 at 5 p.m.

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