Burnaby resident Frances McAuley is $100,000 richer after just one hockey game – and the goal-scoring prowess of Vancouver Canucks' forward Brock Boeser.
McAuley won Save-On-Foods' Million Dollar Score and Win prize thanks to Boeser's four goals against the Edmonton Oilers in the Canucks' season opener at Rogers Arena Oct. 11.
Her win was celebrated with a cheque presentation by Save-On-Foods president Darrell Jones Oct. 20.
McAuley told the media she's still deciding what to do with the prize.
"I have no plans yet. That will come," she said.
She added the win was finally sinking in at the celebration, with Jones and Canucks goalie legend Kirk McLean in attendance.
Multiple Save-On employees told the NOW they know McAuley as a regular who occasionally shops at the Willingdon store multiple times a day. They said she's known for her love of Häagen-Dasz ice cream and Starbucks London Fogs.
McAuley gave kudos to the store's workers.
"You have a wonderful store here, with wonderful people who work here," she told Jones.
She said she was especially grateful for their work during the pandemic.
"They went above and beyond."
It's the fifth year of Save-On's Score and Win contest and the first $100,000 win in B.C., Jones said.
I Watched This Game: Boeser’s four goals lead Canucks to 8-1 win over Oilers https://t.co/xNEiubuzGc
— Vancouver Is Awesome (@VIAwesome) October 12, 2023
'Such an accurate shot'
News of McAuley's windfall came at night – but she didn't pick up the phone.
The call from California woke her up at 10:30 p.m. after the game, she told the NOW.
"Being a woman alone, I do not answer if I do not know who it is," she said.
But a rep from the local Save-On called her the next morning.
"And it's been a blur ever since."
So, who is McAuley's favourite Canucks player now?
"Gee, I don't know," she said with a grin. "Who's that guy – I think his name is Brock."
"He's such an accurate shot."