Over 4,400 people at the South Okanagan Events Centre on May 13 watched Luc Wilson post three points in Game No. 1 of the Fred Page Cup Finals, leading the Penticton Vees to a 4-1 victory against the Nanaimo Clippers.
Wilson’s efforts offensively helped the Vees win their 13th playoff game in a row. It also, though, ended the Clippers’ undefeated playoff record.
After a quiet first 10 minutes, the Vees broke out late in the first period to open the scoring. Casey McDonald beat Clippers goaltender Cooper Black to give Penticton their first lead of the championship series.
Along with Wilson and McDonald, Ryan Hopkins and Bradly Nadeau found the back of the net for the Vees.
Prior to Friday, Nanaimo had not dropped a postseason matchup in 2022. The team’s head coach Colin Birkas told Black Press before Game No. 1 of the finals, however, that his team had yet to play a squad like the Vees.
“Every team has good players, but it’s Penticton’s depth that sets them apart.”
The Vees outshot the Clippers 40-20.
Nanaimo pulled within one early in the middle frame to make it a 2-1 affair but Penticton netminder Kaeden Lane was perfect for the rest of the night, helping his team cruise to a 4-1 victory.
The finals’ second game will go on Saturday, May 14, at the SOEC.
Penticton will have an opportunity to take a 2-0 series lead, as they look ahead to games three and four on Vancouver Island.
Puck drop is at 7 p.m.
READ MORE: Coaches from Penticton Vees, Nanaimo Clippers preview BCHL Finals
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logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com
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