Grant Cruikshank looks like he’s ready for the BCHL opener on September 10th. The rookie forward scored and picked up two assists in the Penticton Vees 4-1 win over the Vernon Vipers Thursday, in pre-season action at Kal-Tire Place.
Jared Nash, Joe Leahy and Noah Jordan also lit the lamp for Penticton, who won their second game in as many nights. Mat Robson kicked-out 14 of 15 shots in his debut in the Vees crease, and the power-play manufactured two goals late in the third period.
Cruikshank opened his scoring account just over five-minutes into the opening frame. The speedy forward kept the puck on a two-on-one rush and squeezed a shot underneath the arm of Vernon’s Gavin Hubbard at 5:49. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin, product then turned to setup man.
From behind the net, Cruikshank grabbed a loose puck and quickly threw a dart out front to Nash in the crease for the quick tap-in at 8:37.
Penticton enjoyed their share of chances in the first period, as they outshot the Vipers 14-3.
Vernon made some noise early in the second, as they quickly found the scoresheet to cut into the Vees’ lead. On an odd-man rush, Jimmy Lambert slid the puck over to Jagger Williamson, who went glove-side on Robson at 1:55.
That scored held up until the late stages of the third when the Vipers ran into some penalty trouble. Penticton was handed back-to-back five-on three power-plays and they didn’t waste their opportunities.
Leahy restored the two-goal lead at 17:15 after some slick puck work, which resulted in him firing into an open net from the slot; Cruikshank picked up his second assist on the play. Then, on their second five-on-three man-advantage in a matter of minutes, Noah Jordan was in the right place, at the right time, when he cleaned up a rebound in the crease inside the final minute of regulation.
Final Score: 4-1 Vees
Shots: 35-15 Vees
Power-Plays: Vees 2-7 Vipers 0-3
Penticton continues their pre-season on Tuesday, August 30th, when the Vipers make a trip down to the SOEC. Tickets are just $5 for adults and seniors and students and children (18 and under), are free courtesy of Peters Bros. Construction.
