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Game 4 of the 2022-23 BCHL Fred Page Cup final series was never going to be easy for the Penticton Vees.
With four minutes left in the first period and the Vees nursing a 1-0 lead on an early Josh Nadeau goal, centre Spencer Smith was knocked out of the game with a worrisome injury.
Then in the second period, goalie Luca Di Pasquo faced 15 shots -- five more than the Vees directed at the Alberni Valley net -- during a furious middle frame effort from the hometown Bulldogs.
But like they seemingly always do, they found a way to win. This time, it was all about turning that tough second into a good news scenario. For starters, centre Brett Moravec scored two against the run of play. At the same time, Vees netminder Luca Di Pasquo stopped all but one of the shots sent his way.
When the period ended, the Vees were up 3-1 and Alberni Valley was never going to get closer. Penticton outshot the Bulldogs 14-5 in the third and centre Dovar Tinling scored a late empty netter to seal the deal.
At the time of this writing, there's no official word on the condition of Spencer Smith, though a Vees Twitter update in the second period said he was "doing well at Port Alberni's hospital."
Also, broadcaster Fraser Rodgers said after the victory that Smith must be "smiling from ear to ear." Later, he alluded to the team "FaceTiming" with Smith in his hospital room while they were still on the ice with the trophy.
Left winger Bradly Nadeau, the regular season league-wide scoring champ and runner-up to bro Josh in the playoffs, was named winner of the inaugural Jeff Tambellini Trophy representing the playoff MVP.
We'll have more on the Vees when they arrive back in Penticton Thursday.
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