The Jr. A Nanaimo Clippers have a shot at the Fred Page Cup, thanks in part to the heroics of Brett Roulston.

Twenty seconds into the first overtime period of Game 2 Saturday night, the 20-year-old Whitehorse forward snapped a shot home to give the Clippers a 2-1 victory over the Penticton Vees – and a 2-0 series lead.

A scramble for the puck at mid-ice saw the Clippers take advantage with centre Cole Maier getting the puck wide to left-winger Nicolas Carrier.

Carrier, in turn, made a perfect feed to a streaking Roulston, who was wheeling down the right side – and he made no mistake.

The Clippers’ assistant captain was subsequently “mauled” by his teammates and was named the first star of the game.

Roulston has put together a fine playoffs, and is currently second on the Clippers in points with six goals and 10 assists in 21 games. The Yukoner’s playoff points total is good for seventh overall in the league.

“The puck just seems to be finding me lately,” Roulston said of his recent success. “Our line’s been pretty hot. ... I have good teammates and my hard work is paying off.”

The British Columbia Hockey League’s (BCHL) top-ranked Vees have since battled back to tie the series, however, winning the teams’ most recent clash 8-5 in Nanaimo Tuesday.

The Clippers will face off with the Vees in Penticton in Game 5 tonight, before returning home to Nanaimo for Game 6 Friday. Game 7, if necessary, will take place Saturday in Penticton.

“It was really big to go up 2-0,” Roulston said. “Now we need to win one in their building. But we’ve faced a lot of adversity and we’re calm under pressure.

“We’ve got ice in our veins.”

The winner of the 16-team BCHL will qualify for the Western Canada Cup in Fort McMurray, Alta., featuring the top clubs from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

The top two teams from that tournament will move on play for the national Royal Bank Cup.

The six-foot-one 200-pound Roulston joined the Clippers this season after spending two years in the Western Hockey League, and finished the regular season with 17 goals and 20 assists in 58 games.

“I’m just happy I got the opportunity,” he told the Star. “It’s been a great experience.”

Playing in the Interior Division, the Vees finished atop the BCHL standings in the regular season with a 44-9-3-2 record, good for 93 points.

The Clippers, in turn, won the Island Division with a 37-16-0-5 record, good for 79 points and second overall.