OSOYOOS -- Corey Allen's wrist-shot in the opening minute of the third period served as the difference as the Osoyoos Coyotes took a 2-0 lead in the KIJHL final with a 3-2 victory over the Castlegar Rebels Sunday.
The 20-year-old from Cranbrook surprised Rebels goaltender Alex Ross with a quick shot from the right wing, sending the partisan crowd of 598 at SunBowl Arena into a frenzy.
Game 2 was there for the taking for Castlegar.
A Spencer Brodt power-play goal gave the visitors a 1-0 lead just 54 seconds into the game.
Captain Taylor Anderson put home a second extra-man goal in the middle frame to break a 1-1 draw.
Thierry Martine, like Allen a former Kimberley Dynamiter, and Steve Sasyniuk also tallied for the Coyotes.
Ross made 26 saves for Castlegar, including breakaway stops on Martine and Allen, while Kyle Laslo turned away 23 Castlegar shots.
The Rebels return home to host Games 3 and 4 at the Complex Tuesday and Wednesday night.
Only one of Castlegar's six playoff losses has come on home ice.