Andrew Gladiuk was the First Star on his birthday as the Nanaimo Clippers beat Coquitlam 7-1.

Gladiuk finished with a goal and two assists in the win.

In the first period Brendan Taylor's deflection opened the scoring at 3:28, then Clayton Chessa made it 2-0 at 13:07.

The second period the Express got back into the game on a goal by Brady Shaw at 12:02, but that's all the scoring Coquitlam would get in the contest.

Gladiuk scored :39 seconds into the third to put Nanaimo up 3-1 and then the Clippers cruised from there.

Luke Gordon made it 4-1 at 4:12, and in the late going the Clippers got three goals in two and half minutes from Jared Chinn, Mike Sones and Gordon getting his second to round out the scoring.

Nanaimo outshot Coquitlam 49-27 and both teams went 0/3 on the power play.

Wednesday's Three Stars were 1) Andrew Gladiuk 2) Mike Sones 3) Clayton Chessa

The win was Nanaimo's first against the Express this season and the one goal allowed is the third time in four games that a Clipper goalie has only given up one.

Powell River is in town for two games to end the season on Friday and Sunday at Frank Crane Arena.