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Braves take Game 1 in triple overtime

Braves lead VIJHL final 1-0 over Storm
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Campbell River Storm forward Dylan McCann attempts to break away during Game 1 of the VIJHL final against the Saanich Braves in Campbell River on Tuesday. The Braves won 5-4 in triple overtime. Game two of the playoff series is on Friday in Campbell River. Photo by Jocelyn Doll/Campbell River Mirror

Michael Sproule completed the hat trick with the winning goal in triple 0vertime on Tuesday night as the Saanich Braves edged the Campbell River Storm 5-4 in Game 1 of the VIJHL final for the Brent Patterson Memorial Trophy.

The Storm announced a crowd of 823 in Rod Brind’Amour Arena.

The Braves opened the scoring 20 seconds in the game from 17-year-old call up Sean Ramsay. It was Ramsay’s seventh game with the Braves and his third playoff game, having played twice in the Braves’ seven-game semifinal against the Nanaimo Buccaneers.

Sproule had four points in total, with an assist on Zach Guerra’s game-tying goal late in the third period. Sproule leads the VIJHL in playoff scoring with 10 goals and 11 assists in 13 games (though all the points came in the last 11 games).

Braves goalie Riley Mathieson faced 71 shots, 41 in regulation and 30 in overtime.

Game 2 is Friday night in Campbell River at 7:30 p.m.

Games 3 and 4 are at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday and Monday at Pearkes arena.