West Kelowna, BC: Cassidy Bowes recorded a hat trick as Penticton Vees began their four-game pre-season schedule with a 6-3 win over the West Kelowna Warriors Wednesday night.
Bowes opened the scoring just 34 seconds into the first period when an attempted shot deflected right to his stick at the side of the net. Ryan Cooper tied the game for the Warriors with a nice individual effort, stepping around a defender and firing a shot over Hildebrand’s glove a few minutes later.
Bowes restored the Vees lead late in the frame when he jammed home a loose puck at the side of Reilly Morgan to give Penticton the 2-1 lead after 20 minutes.
Anaheim Jr. Ducks defenceman Dylan Gutierrez found the back of the net early in the second period when he let go a wrist shot from the left circle that beat a screened Carlos Sislo.
Neither team could take advantage of multiple power-play opportunities in the frame, but Shane Allan put the Vees ahead 4-1 after two periods by beating Sislo glove side from the slot.
Bowes completed his hat trick just 35 seconds into the final period. The puck was pushed out from behind the Warriors net, and with the goaltender Reilly Morgan out of position, Bowes was able to fire the puck from the bottom of the left circle to make it 5-1.
Ryan Ostin was able to stop the Vees streak of four- unanswered goals by beating Hildebrand five hole on the power play.
Ty Mosimann got West Kelowna within two after his cross-crease feed intended for Max Bulawka deflected off a body and into the net mid way through the period.
The Vees restored their three-goal lead after the Warriors pulled their goalie while on the power play. Matthew Byrne was able to scoop the puck from the slot of his own zone into the empty net for the shorthanded goal with six minutes left in the period.
Final shots on goal were 30-21 in favour of the Vees. The next game action for Penticton is Friday night at the SOEC as the annual Peaches Cup game goes at 5 p.m. Admission is free.
Don’t forget to grab your Rival Pack! Five games against the Vees biggest rivals for $59. Call Laura Carleton at 250-493-8336 ext. 4 for more details
