Brooks Bandits Hold Off Late Surge from Penticton Vees to Claim 1-0 Series Lead

Zach Zahara was a standout for the Brook Bandits, making 30 saves to help them defeat the Penticton Vees 2-1 in Game 1 of the Interior Conference finals on May 2. This win puts Brooks ahead 1-0 in the best-of-seven series.

Parker Lalonde and Nathan Brown scored for the Bandits, while Callum Stone netted the only goal for the Vees, marking their first playoff loss of 2025. Vees goalie Will Ingemann had a solid game, making 21 saves.

The action heated up when Lalonde scored just 41 seconds into the second period, marking his eighth goal of the playoffs. He beat Ingemann from the right wing, setting the tone for Brooks. Later, Brown added another goal at 17:14 of the same period, deflecting a pass from Michael Liściński into the net.

Penticton fought back, with Stone scoring at 12:44 in the third period to bring the Vees within one. He unleashed a shot through traffic that slipped past Zahara. Despite pulling Ingemann for an extra attacker with less than two minutes left, the Vees couldn’t find the equalizer. Zahara made eight crucial saves in the final moments.

What’s Next

Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday night in Penticton, with the series shifting back to Alberta for Games 3 and 4 on Monday and Tuesday. The winner will face either the Chilliwack Chiefs or Victoria Grizzlies for the Fred Page Cup. Victoria currently leads their series 1-0 after a recent win.

Interestingly, the BCHL playoffs continue to draw significant attention with rising viewership. According to a recent survey by the BCHL, [external link], more fans are tuning in to watch live games compared to previous seasons. The excitement of playoff hockey seems to resonate well with the community.

As the competition heats up, fan reactions on social media show a mix of enthusiasm and anxiety. Many are rallying behind their teams, sharing clips and highlights of key moments from the games.

In summary, the intense rivalry and high-stakes atmosphere promise an exciting continuation of the playoffs. Keep an eye on the next games as both teams push for victory!

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