Matthew Greenfield was unflappable in goal for the West Kelowna Warriors, posting a 37-save shutout, and two forwards with Prince George connections helped stoke the offence Friday to lead the Warriors to a 2-0 win over the Chilliwack Chiefs Friday night in Chilliwack.
The win gave the Warriors a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Fred Page Cup B.C. Hockey League championship series.
Kyler Hope opened the scoring 18:46 into the first period, a goal assisted by 19-year-old Prince George minor hockey product Liam Blackburn, a New Hampshire University recruit.
Then in the second period, at the 12:58 mark, Kyle Marino took a feed from former Prince George Spruce King forward Bryan Basilico and rifled a shot into the net behind Chiefs goalie Aidan Pelino. The Spruce Kings traded the 20-year-old Basilico to the Warriors at the Jan. 10 roster deadline.
The Warriors, who clinched a spot in the final Tuesday with a 3-2 win over the Nanaimo Clippers in the final game of the third-round BCHL tournament, take on the Chiefs in Game 2 tonight in Chilliwack.
West Kelowna host Games 3 and 4 Monday and Tuesday. If Game 5 is needed it will be played Friday in Chilliwack.
