Nanaimo strikes first, winning opening game of BCHL final 3-1 in Brooks

The Brooks Bandits and Nanaimo Clippers in action Friday night in Brooks

The Brooks Bandits find themselves in an unfamiliar position after one game of their BCHL final against the Nanaimo Clippers -- trailing.

The Bandits dropped Game 1 of the Rogers Cup final Friday night to the Clippers, losing by a 3-1 score.

Brooks got off to a good start in Nanaimo, getting a power play goal from Harry Ahlberg at 6:20 of the first period.

Caden Okovita tied it up for Nanaimo at 15:17 to send the two clubs into the first intermission tied at a goal apiece.

Goaltenders Zach Zahara and Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau were the story in the middle frame, pitching a shutout to send it into the third deadlocked.

Hayden Fechner scored 38 seconds into the third to put the Clippers out in front and then, with the net empty, Tanner Bruender scored with 30 seconds remaining to secure Game 1 for Nanaimo.

Nanaimo outshot the Bandits 36-32.

Game 2 goes Saturday night in Brooks. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.