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Game Preview: Vees look to rebound in Game Two against Chiefs

Season Series

Nov 26th: Chilliwack 2 at Penticton 3 (OT)

Feb 24th: Penticton 3 at Chilliwack 0

 Fred Page Cup Schedule

GM 1: Penticton 2 at Chilliwack 4

GM 2: April 15th at Prospera Centre, 7 pm

GM 3: April 18th at SOEC, 7 pm

GM 4: April 19th at SOEC, 7 pm

GM 5: April 22nd at Prospera Centre, 7 pm *

GM 6: April 24th at SOEC, 7 pm *

GM 7: April 25th at Prospera Centre, 7 pm *

*If necessary

The Chilliwack Chiefs struck first in the Fred Page Cup Final and the Penticton Vees are looking to respond tonight in Game Two from Prospera Centre in Chilliwack.

The Chiefs top line combined for three goals and four five points, as the Chiefs picked up their first home win since March 31st, and their first win against the Vees since November 3rd, 2012.

Jordan Kawaguchi led the way for Chilliwack, registering a goal and three points in the win and his line-mates Kohen Olischefski and Anthony Vincent also tickled the twine. Penticton will need to find a way to slow down the big three of Chilliwack tonight.

Griffin Mendel and Nicholas Jones replied for Penticton, who dropped their third straight on the road and now are just 2-5 away from the SOEC in the playoffs. They should be confident on the road, as they were 19-8-0-2 in the regular season. They also know how to rebound, as they’re 17-2-1-3 following a loss (regular season + playoffs).

Penticton will need to bring the home mentality onto the road tonight, as they had a shaky first 10-minutes, despite opening the scoring 90-seconds in. Chilliwack quickly responded, scoring twice in five and a half minutes to get the lead before the halfway mark. As mentioned, the Vees have won just two of their seven road games in these playoffs and have scored just three goals in their last three road games. They’ll need to finish off their chances tonight.

The Vees are making a couple of tweaks to their line-up, as all signs point to 20-year-old Ryley Risling sliding in up front and Greg Brydon on the blue-line. Risling has been a victim somewhat of the 20-year-old limit, as he hasn’t played since Game Six against Merritt. Brydon is playing his first playoff game and first game since February 24th. AP’s Cassidy Bowes and Massimo Rizzo will dress again in Game Two.

The first 10-minutes will be a key focus for both clubs. Penticton has been scored on first in eight of their 15 playoff games but more importantly it’s early goals against that has been troubling. The Vees have given up a goal inside the first 10-minutes of the game in half their playoff games so far. Last night after the opener from Mendel, it was Chilliwack getting the next two before the halfway mark. Penticton put together a very good 50-minutes from then on out but that first 10 may have cost them Game One. They’ll need to be on their toes from the get go tonight.

Kawaguchi, the reigning BCHL Player of the Week, has six goals and 10 points in his last five games, and leads the BCHL in playoff scoring with 31 points in 17 games. Jake Smith is heating up too, as the Chiefs’ forward has scored in back-to-back games and has points in five straight; he scored the Chiefs third goal Friday.

Nicholas Jones still leads the Vees in scoring with 18 points and has a goal and three points in his last four games. AP Cassidy Bowes has made an immediate impact, as he has two assists in his first two playoff games, and he’ll again be on a line with Ty Amonte and Owen Sillinger. Mendel’s goal Friday was his second of the playoffs and first since the opener against Merritt on March 17th.

Vees Playoff Scoring:

Nicholas Jones 8-10-18
Gabe Bast 5-7-12
Chris Klack 2-10-12
Mitch Meek 3-4-7
Duncan Campbell 3-3-6

Chiefs Playoff Scoring:

Jordan Kawaguchi 13-18-31
Kohen Olischefski 9-10-19
Jake Smith 6-11-17
Anthony Vincent 5-10-15
Will Calverley 3-9-12

Fans can listen to tonight’s game starting at 6:40 pm with the pre-game show on EZ Rock am 800 and on www.hockeytv.com, with Fraser Rodgers and Scott Austin.