The Penticton Vees opened their BCHL pre-season schedule with a 2-0 win over the West Kelowna Warriors Tuesday night at the SOEC.
Fred Harbinson Pre-Game
Desi Burgart and Turner Ripplinger provided all the offense the Vees needed, as they scored 11-minutes apart in the middle stanza. Nolan Hildebrand wasn’t overworked in the Vees’ net but was sharp stopping 20-shots for the shutout.
After a scoreless but physical first period, Burgart broke the scoreless deadlock just over a minute into the second. Anaheim Jr. Ducks forward John Elliot spun and fired a centering pass, which Burgart redirected at the top of the crease.
West Kelowna ran into some penalty trouble midway through the middle stanza and the Vees capitalized. Ripplinger’s determined effort down-low doubled the home side’s lead. From his belly, Ripplinger feverishly jammed the puck between the goalie and the post at 12:39.
The third period was fruitless like the first but the Vees’ Jacob Kamps nearly scored off the rush from the right-wing. With a head full of steam, Kamps blew down the right side but his bullet from the top of the circle rocketed off the cross-bar.
Penticton dressed a younger side, mixed in with a few fresh recruits. The Vees continue their pre-season on the road Thursday, as they pay the Vernon Vipers a visit; puck drop is 7 pm.
Final Score: 2-0 Vees
Shots: 37-20 Vees
Power-Plays: Vees 1-4 Warriors 0-3
