West Kelowna, BC (April 8, 2025)- Nick Peluso scored 4:49 into the overtime to lift the Bandits to a 5-4 win and to take a 2-1 series lead over the West Kelowna Warriors on Tuesday at Royal LePage Place.
Goaltender Zach Zahara stopped 27 of the 31 shots he faced, while the Bandits put 41 shots on the Warriors net.
In the opening frame, defenceman Keith McInnis opened the scoring just before the halfway point, tapping in a Cooper Pierson pass on the powerplay to make it 1-0. Just 24 seconds later, Luke Bibby picked up his third goal of the playoffs to double up the Bandits lead, tapping in a Dante Siciliniano pass. The Bandits heavily outshot the warriors 17-5 in the frame but Warriors forward Tyler Pretty got one back with two minutes left in the frame.
In the 2nd period, West Kelowna forward Sam LeDrew tied the game for the Warriors as he scored his first of the playoffs. The goal was reviewed for a potential high-stick or goaltender interference, but the goal stood. The Bandits were outshot 13 to 8 in the period but with just eight seconds left, Bandits forward Parker Lalonde scored his first of the playoffs to make it 3-2 for the Bandits.
In the 3rd period, the Warriors got one back at the seven minute mark as LeDrew scored his 2nd of the night, one-timing a shot from the left circle on the powerplay to make it 3-3. Just moments later, Warriors forward Elias Callgren scored his third of the playoffs, shooting from the left circle to put the Warriors in front 4-3. However, less than 15 seconds later, Lalonde tipped in a Drew Mackie shot that was reviewed but ultimately ruled a goal as the Bandits clawed their way back into the game to make it 4-4.
In overtime, Nick Peluso received a pass put front from behind the net from Parker Lalonde and he made no mistake slotting it into the back of the net to send the Bandits away with a 5-4 overtime win and take a 2-1 series lead.
The Bandits are back in action at Royal LePage Place tomorrow Wednesday, April 9, at 7:00 PM PDT as they look to take both road games and head back to Brooks with the series on the line.
