Sam Boisvert drew Nanaimo closer with a second chance opportunity of his own but the Clippers still trailed by a goal heading into the third period.
A late power play goal from Tanner Bruender and the Blake Jones winner with 48 seconds remaining ensured a Nanaimo 4-3 win in Game 1.
Eliot Seguin-Lescabeau captured the win in in net over the Bulldogs Derik Brouillard with the shots finishing 33-31 for Alberni Valley.
On special teams Nanaimo went 1/2 on the man advantage and killed off both Bulldogs power play opportunities.
The Clippers had not held a lead in a playoff series since the first round of the 2023 post season against Langley.
That was also the last time Nanaimo won a Game 1.
Game two goes on April 4 at Frank Crane Arena at 7pm.
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