PHOTO: Cherie Morgan/Cherie Morgan Photography
The Penticton Vees (10-1-0-1) conclude their weekend of action with the second of a back-to-back matchup against the Cranbrook Bucks (2-9-0-0) on Saturday night at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
2021 REGULAR SEASON VS. CRANBROOK
Saturday, April 3rd vs. Cranbrook (6-3 Vees) (BOXSCORE)
Friday, April 9th @ Cranbrook (5-3 Vees) (BOXSCORE)
Monday, April 12th @ Cranbrook (4-0 Vees) (BOXSCORE)
Thursday, April 15th @ Cranbrook (7-1 Vees) (BOXSCORE)
Sunday, April 18th vs. Cranbrook (5-1 Vees) (BOXSCORE)
Wednesday, April 21st @ Cranbrook (1-0 Cranbrook) (BOXSCORE)
Saturday, April 24th vs. Cranbrook (6:00 PM)
Friday, April 30th vs. Cranbrook (7:00 PM)
Monday, May 3rd @ Cranbrook (7:00 PM)
Sunday, May 9th vs. Cranbrook (4:00 PM)
Penticton will look for back-to-back victories after getting back in the win column on Friday night in a 4-1 triumph over the Trail Smoke Eaters at the SOEC. Vees captain Fin Williams tallied twice in the game, including the game winning goal in the second period, while Josh Niedermayer collected his first career BC Hockey League goal and Tyler Ho found the back of an empty net. Kaeden Lane turned aside 17 of the 18 shots thrown his way in his 8th win of the season between the pipes.
The Vees and Bucks will meet for the 7th time this season with Cranbrook earning their first victory in the season series on Wednesday night in a tight checking 1-0 shootout win. Penticton was blanked for the first time since December 13th, 2019 when they fell by a 2-0 score to the Vernon Vipers. Kaleb McEachern turned aside each of the 20 shots thrown his way in his first shutout in the BC Hockey League but suffered the loss in the shootout.
Vees Leading Scorers:
Luc Wilson (10-8-18)
Liam Malmquist (4-10-14)
Ryan Upson (5-8-13)
Jacob Quillan (6-6-12)
Fin Williams (4-7-11)
Vees captain Fin Williams collected a pair of goals in Friday night’s 4-1 victory over the Smoke Eaters, pushing the University of Michigan commit to 11 points in 11 games on the season. The North Vancouver, BC product has points in four of his last five games while the multi-goal effort was the second of Williams’ career, dating back to the opening game of the 2019/20 season with the Prince George Spruce Kings.
A pair of firsts were registered in the win on Friday night with each of Josh Niedermayer and Devlin O’Brien taking home game pucks. Niedermayer tallied his first career goal in the BC Hockey League, adding to his five assists on the season while in his second game back after missing nine due to injury, O’Brien registered a pair of assists for his first points in the BCHL. The Merrimack University commit had no problem finding the back of the net in Okanagan Cup play, lighting the lamp 7 times for the Vees during the exhibition schedule.
The Cranbrook Bucks come into Saturday night’s action after earning their second win of the season in that 1-0 shootout win over the Vees on Wednesday at the SOEC. Christian Lowe and Walker Gelbard each scored in the shootout while Jay Thomson stopped all 22 shots thrown his way and each of the two shooters he faced in the shootout for his first win and shutout in the BCHL.
Bucks Leading Scorers:
Zeth Kindrachuk (3-6-9)
Walker Gelbard (2-7-9)
Tyson Dyck (3-2-5)
Rhys Bentham (2-2-4)
Noah Quinn (1-3-4)
Following the win on Wednesday against the Vees, it’s a safe bet to assume Penticton will once again see goaltender Jay Thomson start between the pipes for the Bucks. The Calgary, Alberta native has won each of Cranbrook’s two games this season, including his first career shutout in the league in the 1-0 shootout victory. Thomson sits with a 2-2 record in 5 games played to go along with a 3.52 goals against average and a .866 save percentage.
The Vees and Bucks will meet for the seventh of ten times this season on Thursday night from the SOEC. Puck drop is slated for 6:00 PM with the game available on EZ Rock AM 800 beginning with the pre-game show at 5:40 PM as well as BCHLTV.ca and Shaw Spotlight.
