Photo: Cherie Morgan
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Game Time: 7:00 pm PT
Location: SOEC
Radio: Bounce 800 am
Webcast: Hockey TV
Penticton Vees
GM & Head Coach: Fred Harbinson
2022-23: GP 14 14-0-0-0, 1st Interior Conference
Home: 7-0-0-0
Away: 7-0-0-0
Power Play: 35.9% (1)
Penalty Kill: 83.3% (4)
Top Scorer: Bradly Nadeau (13-18-21)
Top Scorer vs. Spruce Kings: None
Last 5 Games:
9-3 W vs. Trail (Oct 29)
4-1 W at West Kelowna (Oct 28)
4-3 W vs. Cranbrook (Oct 26)
4-2 W at Wenatchee (Oct 22)
7-4 W vs. Alberni Valley (Oct 20)*
*BCHL Showcase
Season Series
Nov 4 vs. Prince George, 7:00 pm
Nov 9 vs. Prince George, 6:00 pm
Jan 6 at Prince George, 7:00 pm
Jan 7 at Prince George, 7:00 pm
Feb 25, at Prince George, 7:00 pm
Last Game: Penticton extended their win streak to 14 games with their 9-3 victory over the Trail Smoke Eaters last Saturday. The game was tied 2-2 early in the second period, before the Vees scored five unanswered goals on their way to the lopsided win. Aydar Suniev was the 1st star Saturday, as he registered five points (2G, 3A). Thomas Pichette had a pair of goals in the victory too. 13 of 18 Vees’ skaters picked up at least a point. The power play was excellent, as Penticton went 3//4.
Vees News: Earlier this week, the Nadeau brothers were named the BCHL 3 stars of the Month. Bradly was named the 1st Star, after he amassed 31 points (13G, 18A) in 31 games. Josh was the 2nd star as he had 27 points (9G, 18A) in 31 games. Spencer Smith announced his commitment to Mercyhurst University for next season. More info here.
Tonight’s Game: Tonight, is the first of five meetings in the season series against the Spruce Kings and first since their 2022 BCHL Playoff series. Penticton beat Prince George in four games in their second round match up last spring. This is the first meeting, since Game Four back on April 19. In six games last season, the Vees were 3-3-0-0 against the Spruce Kings, including a 2-1-0-0 record at the SOEC.
Luca Di Pasquo is the Vees’ projected starter tonight. The 19-year-old is 10-0-0-0 with a 1.89 goals-against average and .916 save percentage. Defenceman Gabriel Guilbault is away at the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge with Team Canada Red. Guilbault and Canada Red lost their tournament opener 4-3 to Canada Black on Thursday in Langley.
Prince George Spruce Kings
GM: Mike Hawes
Head Coach: Alex Evin
2022-23: GP 13 9-3-0-1, 3rd Interior Conference
Home: 5-2-0-0
Away: 4-1-0-1
Power Play: 25.9% (5)
Penalty Kill: 78.6% (10)
Top Scorer: John Herrington (8-6-14)
Top Scorer vs. Spruce Kings: None
Last 5 Games:
2-1 W vs. Wenatchee (Oct 29)
4-3 W vs. Wenatchee (Oct 28)
8-0 W @ Vernon (Oct 22)
4-3 SOL @ Surrey (Oct 20)*
5-1 L vs. Coquitlam (Oct 19)*
*BCHL Showcase
Last Game: Prince George swept their doubleheader against Wenatchee at home last weekend. Friday, the Spruce Kings found themselves down 3-1 in the second period, but stormed back for three-straight goals, including two in the third period, for the 4-3 victory. Saturday, PG struck early, scoring twice inside the first four minutes to go up 2-0. Goaltender Jordan Fairlie was rock solid the rest of the way, stopping 34 of 35 shots.
Tonight’s Game: The Spruce Kings have won three in a row and sit just one point back of the West Kelowna Warriors for second place in the Interior. They’re well coached by Alex Evin, the former Vees’ goaltender, as they have the second-best goals against in the Interior (32). Tonight, begins a four-game stretch away from home for the Spruce Kings. PG visits Salmon Arm tomorrow and then next week play a doubleheader in Merritt on November 10 and 11.
Alternate Captain John Herrington leads Prince George with 14 points (8G, 6A) in 13 games. Linden Makow has a team-best four power play goals. Jordan Fairlie is one of the top netminders in the BCHL. The 20-year-old is third in minutes played (630), fourth in save percentage (.927), and third in goals-against average (1.90). He also leads the league in shutouts with two.
