Penticton, BC: The Penticton Vees (13-5-1-2) have scored 22 goals over their last three games, almost as many as they had scored over the previous 10 games combined. Now they welcome the team that has given up the most goals this season, the Cowichan Valley Capitals (2-17-3-1).
Friday night Penticton scored three goals in the first and four more in the second and third as they rolled over the West Kelowna Warriors 11-3 at Royal LePage Place.
Nicky Leivermann and Dakota Boutin each recorded hat tricks for the Vees while Owen Sillinger and Ben Allen both scored twice. Ryan Sandelin recorded the last goal for Penticton. Massimo Rizzo had an impressive night with five assists.
Despite all the goals, Vees goalie Adam Scheel still had a busy night of his own making 39 saves to record his eighth win of the year, and third straight. He also recorded an assist Friday night, the third game in a row he has done so.
The Capitals meanwhile began their Interior Division swing in Salmon Arm last night, dropping a 4-1 game. Adam Marcoux made 41 saves in the loss, and has faced 40 or more shots in eight starts this season.
After recording their first win of the season September 17, their third game of the year, the Capitals didn’t pick up another win until October 28 when they beat Salmon Arm 5-1 at home.
The Capitals record might be a bit deceiving as well, as eight of their losses have been decided by a single goal. They also tied the high-flying Powell River Kings 2-2 last weekend, despite giving up 63 shots.
Penticton swept the season series against Cowichan last year; a 4-3 double overtime victory at the Island Savings Centre in the fourth game of the season before a convincing 5-1 win at the South Okanagan Events Centre December 10.
Grant Cruikshank and Owen Sillinger both scored twice in the 5-1 win, and Cruikshank will return to the lineup after serving his one-game suspension last night.
Team Statistics
Leading Scorers
Penticton Vees
Owen Sillinger – 8 G 13 A 21 GP
Nicky Leivermann – 6 G 13 A 20 GP
Dakota Boutin – 9 G 6 A 21 GP
Cowichan Valley Capitals
Troy MacTavish – 4 G 11 A 23 GP
Ty Pochipinski – 10 G 3 A 23 GP
Ethan Scardina – 7 G 5 A 23 GP
Special Teams
Penticton Vees
Power play – 20.4% (7th in BCHL)
Penalty kill – 88.0% (1st in BCHL)
Cowichan Valley Capitals
Power play – 17.0% (12th in BCHL)
Penalty kill – 77.4% (15th in BCHL)
Season series
November 18, 2017 – Vees vs Capitals
January 27, 2018 – Vees @ Capitals
