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Game Recap: Miller the OT Hero, as Vees Win Thriller over Victoria

The Penticton Vees went out in style at the SOEC Sunday, in their regular season home finale. James Miller scored three and a half minutes into overtime, as the Vees came from behind to beat the Victoria Grizzlies 2-1 in an afternoon thriller.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

Miller did an entire lap of the Grizzlies zone late in overtime, including doing a great job to walk the blue-line, before scoring in front after a quick give-and-go with Ty Amonte down low; Miller’s OT goal the capper to an exciting, back and forth contest between two of the top teams in the BCHL.

Sunday’s game was a carbon copy of the first meeting between the two, as it was the Grizzlies winning 2-1 in double-overtime on February 4th.

Sunday was an exhibition of speed and skill and it was Victoria getting the ice-breaker midway through the first period. On their opening power-play it was an off-speed one-timer from Tim Freidman that fooled Mat Robson on the blocker side at 12:23; the goal by Freidman ending Robson’s shutout streak at just over 170 minutes. In fact, it was the first goal Robson allowed since the second period against Trail back on February 8th.

Penticton was unlucky to go down a goal, as they had a terrific start, outshooting the Grizzlies 9-0 in the first five and half minutes but Matthew Galajda held the fort in the Victoria net just long enough.

In the second, Robson was called into action, stopping a two-on-one rush, as both Friedman and Nick Guiney couldn’t jam the puck in past him, as he squeezed it between his legs. That was a clutch save from Robson as the Vees finally manufactured an equalizer not long after.

On their third power-play of the afternoon, the Vees finally solved Galajda and it was their leading scorer getting the job done. After grabbing the puck just outside the zone, Gran Cruikshank busted down the right-wing in the Victoria end and wired a shot over Galajda’s glove at 16:31; a milestone goal for Cruikshank who picked up his 30th of the season.

In the third the Vees had a couple of great chances to grab a go ahead goal but Galajda was up to the task in the Grizzlies crease. First, Gabe Bast took on three defenders but somehow managed to carve through all of them but his chip attempt in tight was heeled away by the Victoria netminder. Then, Nicholas Jones was staring at an open goal but his one-timer from the right-wing was kicked out by Galajda who lunged back to his left in desperation to get his pad on it.

Mat Robson wasn’t going to be outdone, as he made a diving save on Cole Pickup at the side of the Vees goal after some pressure from Victoria. Brett Sterling pumped a shot from the slot which was knocked down by Robson, and then he dove to his glove side to smother the rebound attempt by Pickup; that save after losing his stick on the play.

Just like two weeks ago, the two evenly matched teams needed overtime to decide a winner.

In the four-on-four frame, James Miller showed  incredible poise and patience as he danced down into the corner, before circling back up to the blue-line, stick handling across to just keep the play onside, then darted down the opposite wing to feed Amonte in the corner. Miller then darted to the net and Amonte quickly fed him with a return pass and he out waited the goalie and went upstairs at 3:34; Miller scoring his 5th of the season to send the crowd into a frenzy.

Final Score: 2-1 Vees

Shots: 40-28 Vees

Power-Plays: Vees 1-5 Victoria 1-3

Three Stars: 1) James Miller 2) Matthew Galajda 3) Mat Robson

Attendance: 3341

 Vees Notes: The Vees finish with a 21-5-1-1 record at the SOEC this season; 22-5-1-1 as the home team (one win at the BCHL Showcase). They also finish with a 7-2-0-1 record against the Island Division. The Vees handed out their team awards after the game and Mat Robson was named the team MVP. A full list of award winners will be available on the Vees’ website.

Penticton (39-13-1-1) finishes their regular season next week on the road, starting Tuesday in West Kelowna. They also visit the Surrey Eagles on Thursday and the Chilliwack Chiefs next Friday. All three games can be heard on EZ Rock AM 800 and fans can watch on www.hockeytv.com