Penticton, BC: The Penticton Vees (28-9-2-3) have climbed to within two points for first place in the BCHL after a 4-1 win over the Merritt Centennials Friday night, and now host a team not far behind them in the standings, the Trail Smoke Eaters (26-14-3-1).
The Vees opened the scoring for the first time in four games Friday night, Jonny Tychonick’s long wrist shot from the blue line eluded Jacob Berger to give the Vees a 1-0 lead after one period.
After the Centennials tied the game in the second, Owen Sillinger restored his teams lead early in the third period before adding his second of the game seven minutes later. Chris Klack then hit the empty net for his fourth goal in the last three games to seal the win.
After a five-game winning streak following the Christmas break, Trail has just one win in their last four games after a 2-1 loss on home ice to the West Kelowna Warriors last night. With the loss, Trail is 1-1-1-1 over their last four games.
The tie came against the Vees just eight days ago in a highly-entertaining 2-2 finish at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
That night, the Smoke Eaters held a lead from the first period into the third before Dakota Boutin tied the game seven minutes into the final frame. After Trail regained their lead four minutes later, Michael Campoli scored his first goal in four years to tie things at two with under five minutes to play.
Despite excellent chances both ways in overtime, including Wyatt Sloboshan with a breakaway in double OT, neither team could find a winner as the game ended 2-2. Adam Marcoux was named first star of the game after finishing with 41 saves.
Tonight is the fourth meeting of the season between the Interior Division rivals. Trail won the first meeting 4-1 October 28 before the Vees with a 2-1 road win November 22. The season series will finish with a home and home series February 7 and 9.
It’s the annual Pink in the Rink game for the Vees, fans in attendance are encouraged to wear pink articles of clothing to promote anti-bullying.
Team Statistics
Leading Scorers
Penticton Vees
Owen Sillinger – 22 G 19 A 40 GP
Jonny Tychonick – 7 G 26 A 34 GP
Dakota Boutin – 16 G 16 A 42 GP
Trail Smoke Eaters
Ross Armour – 17 G 35 G 38 GP
Kale Howarth – 22 G 29 A 35 GP
Levi Glasman – 18 G 25 A 39 GP
Special Teams
Penticton Vees
Power play – 20.0% (6th in BCHL)
Penalty kill – 87.2% (1st in BCHL)
Trail Smoke Eaters
Power play – 21.7% (3rd in BCHL)
Penalty kill – 79.5% (14th in BCHL)
Season Series
October 28, 2017 – Vees 1 @ Smoke Eaters 4 Boxscore
November 22, 2017 – Vees 2 @ Smoke Eaters 1 Boxscore
January 12, 2018 – Vees 2 vs Smoke Eaters 2 OT2 Boxscore
January 20, 2018 – Vees vs Smoke Eaters
February 7, 2018 – Vees @ Smoke Eaters
February 9, 2018 – Vees vs Smoke Eaters
