Vees glide to victory in Game 1 of BCHL Championship

Photo: Cherie Morgan/Cherie Morgan Photography

The Penticton Vees defeated the Nanaimo Clippers 4 - 1 Friday night in front of a packed house at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Game 1 of the Fred Page Cup Final.

Penticton took the lead in the game 15 minutes into the first period with a Casey McDonald deflection and never looked back.

The powerplay took the Vees to a two-goal lead just before the end of the opening frame. The puck was worked up top by Luc Wilson as Ryan Hopkins hammered a shot from the mid-point that found its way through traffic and past the blocker side of Nanaimo goaltender Cooper Black for his first career BC Hockey League playoff goal to give the Vees a 2-0 lead heading into the second period.

Nanaimo would respond with a goal just eight seconds into the second period, but would get no further.

Penticton’s defence played a big role, limiting Nanaimo to just 20 shot all night, of which Vees netminder Kaeden Lane stopped 19.

The Vees sit now just three wins away from a Fred Page Cup championship and will look to make it even closer as they host the Nanaimo Clippers in Game #2 of the BCHL Final on Saturday night at the South Okanagan Events Centre. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m.

FINAL SCORE: 4-1 Vees

SHOTS ON GOAL: 40-20 Vees

VEES PP: 1/4

VEES PK: 2/2

3 STARS:

1. Luc Wilson (1-2-3)
2. Bradly Nadeau (1-1-2)
3. Josh Nadeau (0-1-1)

Attendance: 4,459