A third straight one goal game between Nanaimo and Powell River in the young season, but it was the Kings who prevailed 4-3.
The Clippers had some great chances in the first but it was the Kings who scored the only goals.
Mitchell Hawes jammed a puck in behind Jakob Walter near the midway point, and Curtis McCarrick converted a pass in close with just over three minutes left.
Sheldon Rempal missed a penalty shot on the last play of the period, as Jeff Smith made a great save.
In the second period the Clippers outshot the Kings 23-13 but the teams traded goals.
First Jeremy Leclerc blasted home a power play goal midway through the period, and then Edwin Hookenson got the Clippers on the board with a shorthanded slap shot with 14 seconds left in the period.
In the third Matt Hoover brought Nanaimo within one converting a beautiful cross ice pass from Sheldon Rempal.
Just as the Clippers pulled the goalie turn a late power play into a 6 on 4, Andy Stevens stole the puck and tallied an empty netter.
But there was no quit in the Clippers and Rempal scored a power play goal in the final minute.
The game ended 4-3, and the game within a game featured a great battle between Jeff Smith with 46 saves and Sheldon Rempal with a goal and two assists.
Nanaimo outshot Powell River 48-29, with the Clippers going 1/4 on the power play and the Kings 1/3.
Saturday’s Three Stars were 1) Jeff Smith 2) Sheldon Rempal 3) Chris Protopoulos
The Clippers now travel to Chilliwack for games against Merritt and Coquitlam on Friday and Saturday.
