The Penticton Vees (23-5-0-1) are in unfamiliar territory heading into Saturday night’s game against the Powell River Kings (20-10-0-1) at the SOEC. For the first time this season, and for the first time since February, 2015, the Vees have lost two-in-a-row in the regular.
Friday, the Vees rallied from 3-1 down in the third period against Salmon Arm to force overtime, only to lose 4-3 in second overtime period. Ty Amonte scored twice in regulation and Duncan Campbell scored the game-tying goal with just 19-seconds left in regulation to earn the Vees the single point. Mat Robson, who officially committed to the University of Minnesota Friday morning, took the loss in net stopping 25 of 29 shots.
The Vees had a season-high in shots in the loss, as they peppered Salmon Arm goalie Nic Tallarico with 54-in 67-minutes; their 21 first period shots was a season-high as well.
Powell River started their three-game weekend road trip with a 5-3 win in Chilliwack on Friday night, as they won their second straight. After Chilliwack tied it early in the second at 1-1, the Kings exploded for three unanswered goals in the last seven-minutes of the middle frame to grab a 4-1. The Chiefs scored twice in three-minutes midway through the third to close the gap to one, but Jonny Evans scored with just over three-minutes left to seal the road win. 20-year-old Brian Wilson made 37-saves for his 12th win and was named the game’s second star.
The Kings are now 9-7-0-0 on the road and they’ve won six of their last seven away from the Sunshine Coast. Their road trip wraps up tomorrow afternoon in Trail against the Smoke Eaters Cominco Arena.
This is the second and final meeting in the regular season between the two teams, as the Vees won 3-1 back on September 16th, in Powell River. Penticton won both games against the Kings last year and are 8-0-0 against Powell River in the last five years; including the playoffs it’s 10-0. The Kings have also never won at the SOEC since the building opened in 2008.
Ty Amonte is heating up, as the Vees’ forward has three goals in his last two games, after being held off the scoresheet in his previous three. Amonte is tied for second on the team in goals with 11. Amonte’s line-mate is feeling it too, as Owen Sillinger has four assists in his last two games and points in three straight; this after being held pointless in the previous four. He assisted on each of the Vees’ three goals Friday.
The Kings pack an offensive punch as their 120-goals in the third most in the BCHL behind Wenatchee (152) and Surrey (123), and they have three players in the top-10 in BCHL scoring. Texas product Cam Donaldson has a team-best 22 goals and 40 points in 30-games to lead the Kings’ up front. He is followed by Jonny Evans 17-20-37 and Tristan Mullin (15-22-37), who are sixth and 10th respectively in league scoring.
Mat Robson will likely get the start in net for the Vees and is 18-6 on the season, sporting a 1.98 goals-against average and .924 save percentage. Robson leads the league in wins (18) and goals-against average but slipped to second in save percentage behind Victoria’s Matthew Galajda (.929), after Friday’s game.
Brian Wilson has started the last two Kings’ games and won both starts and is likely starting tonight. Wilson is 12-6 on the year with a 2.63 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage; he lost against the Vees back on September 16th.
The Vees will be without Gabe Bast, Mitch Meek and Jamie Armstrong once again. Because of that, they’ve called-up 15-year-old Massimo Rizzo to play up front. Rizzo, who plays Midget Prep at the Burnaby Winter Club, is third in scoring in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League, with seven goals and 19 assists in 15-games. This is Rizzo’s second BCHL regular season as he made his Vees’ debut back on October 12th against Langley. The Vees will likely dress 13 forwards and five defencemen for the second straight night.
Powell River is relatively healthy as they’re only missing forward Gavin Rauser, who was scratched Friday in Chilliwack due to injury.
Tonight is the Vees annual Teddy Bear Toss, presented by Otter CO-OP. When the Vees score their first goal tonight, fans are asked to throw a new or gently used stuffed toy on the ice, which will be donated to the Salvation Army in Penticton.
Fans can listen to the game on EZ Rock AM 800 locally, and on their iHeartRadio Canada app for their iPhone, smartphone, iPad or tablet. The game is also available via webcast online at www.HockeyTV.com
