DUNCAN — The Clippers opened their second BCHL series with the Cowichan Valley Capitals by wrestling away home ice advantage.
Nanaimo never trailed and skated away with a 3-2 road victory in Game 1.
Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau was sharp throughout and made 24 saves in earning first star honours.
After a scoreless first period Jack Rimmer got the Clippers in front with a blast from the left wing on a partial breakaway in the opening minute of the second.
With under two minutes to play in the middle frame Charles Beland charged in alone on Capitals netminder Rhett Stoesser to score his team leading fifth goal of the playoffs on a beautiful deke.
A seeing eye shot by Curtis Freeman closed the gap to 2-1 early in the third period before Sam Boisvert cashed in on a rebound to put Nanaimo back up by two goals.
Trace Frieden again brought the Capitals back with in a goal but the Clippers held on for the 3-2 series opening win.
The final shots were 26-25 for Cowichan Valley with Nanaimo going 0/4 on the man advantage and then killing off the Caps only power play.
Nanaimo did have an extended five on three power play in the second period but failed to score.
Game 2 of the best of seven series will take place on April 18 at the Cowichan Valley Community Centre before the series shifts to Nanaimo for a pair of games on April 21 and 22.
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