DUNCAN — The Clippers started the BCHL playoffs with a bang, but they didn’t get the result they wanted.
Nanaimo had three goals in the first 3:43 of the game on markers by Luke Lavery, Justin Collins and Patrick Fortune on a power play.
After that the Clippers were on the defensive and although they held a 3-1 lead after twenty minutes, they were down 4-3 by the second intermission.
Nicolas Beaudoin and Camden Bajzer had power play goals while Gavin Giesbrecht tallied twice at even strength for the Capitals.
The back half of the game was scoreless until a last minute power play goal by Cole Lonsdale tied the game at 4-4.
Luca Primerano picked up the game winner seven minutes into overtime to give Cowichan the 1-0 series lead.
Vladimir Nitikin made 34 saves in the loss while the Clippers fired 26 shots at Cowichan netminder Dylan Krick.
Nanaimo went 2/3 on the man advantage and 3/5 killing penalties.
The loss was the Clippers first in Duncan this year after going 3-0 during the regular season.
Game 2 of the series goes Saturday Apr. 5 in Cowichan Valley with games three and four back at Frank Crane Arena on Apr. 8 and 9.
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