The Nanaimo Clippers handed the Penticton Vees their third loss of the season in a matinee matchup Sunday that ended a three-night road swing.

Defenceman David Iacono scored the Clippers’ game winner on a powerplay late in the third period, moving the team to within three points of the second-place Alberni Valley Bulldogs in the BCHL island division.

The Clippers scored a total of two powerplay goals on Vees backstopper Chad Ktunar, as well as an empty netter by Greg Trichilo.

Katunar kept the Vees in the game, stopping 31 shots, which earned him the game’s second star.

The loss was the Vees’ second in three nights. The island division leading Victoria Grizzlies took the Vees to overtime Friday night, when 19-year-old Myles Fitzgerald put one past Katunar.

The Vees, whose five-game road swing continues Friday in Salmon Arm, managed to squeak out a win Saturday against the Cowichan Valley Capitals. Vees rookie Brad McClure scored a hat trick while backup goaltender Nic Renyard turned aside all 17 shots thrown at him in the 3-0 victory.

The Vees will end their road trip in West Kelowna Oct. 23.