Matt Litzenberger pulled the hat trick as the Godard Excavating Predators clipped the Re/Max Rangers 3-2 in Vernon Hockey League playoff action Tuesday night at Wesbild Centre.
The fifth-place Predators (18-10-0-2) meet the regular-season champion RE Postill & Sons Orphans in the best-of-three championship series starting Wednesday night (9:30, Priest Valley).
Game 2 goes Thursday night (7:15, PV) with a third game, if necessary, set for Sunday, April 15 at 6:15 p.m. (Wesbild).
Brothers Danny and Andy Stein set up Litzenberger’s first snipe, while Kenny Johnstone drew the assist on his second. Litzenberger’s winner, at 12:54 of the final period, was unassisted.
The Preds went up 2-0 in the first period before former Viper Richard Jodoin clicked at 12:05, from Steve Vallier and Nanamo Clipper hrad Scott Kowalski. Ex-Alberni Valley Bulldog Sawyer Mick equalized with 2:38 to play in the first, with Tim Proctor assisting.
Chris Kingdon recorded 19 saves for the Preds, while Steve Clark made 16 stops for the defending playoff champion Rangers, who finished second at 21-9.
