FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Saturday, March 17th
CHIEFS EVEN SERIES WITH OT WIN
PENTICTON, BC- The Penticton Vees erased a second period two goal deficit to force overtime but came up short in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Chilliwack Chiefs on Saturday.
Trevor Hills was the overtime hero, scoring 8:41 into the first overtime period to even the best-of-seven series at one game apiece.
The Chiefs scored the only goal of the first period off a slick individual rush by Malcolm Gould, as he deked around the Vees defender before putting a wrist-shot over Chad Katunar’s glove at 12:43.
Penticton struggled on the power-play in the first period, failing to convert on three opportunities including a four minute power-play when Trevor Hills high-sticked Logan Johnston.
Chilliwack struck again in the second period, increasing their lead to two when Spencer Graboski crashed the net and put in a loose puck after a goal-mouth scramble; Graboski’s second goal in as many games at 10:42.
The Vees started to press and cut the deficit in half before the second period ended. Ryan Reilly scored his first of the playoffs when he shoveled in a loose puck on the Chiefs goal-line at 17:26.
The momentum carried over to the third period for the Vees, as Logan Johnston tied the game just shy of the three minute mark. Like Reilly’s goal, Johnston managed to jam a loose puck at the post past the pad of Mitch Gillam and just over the goal-line at 2:38.
The Vees were given an opportunity to win the game late in the third period on a power-play but the chance was negated when they took a penalty with just eleven seconds left in the period; the game would head to overtime.
In overtime, Michael Spring corralled a loose puck in the neutral zone and broke in down the right-wing, centering a pass at the far post for Trevor Hills who put it into an open net at 8:41.
FINAL SCORE: 3-2 Chiefs
SHOTS: 38-27 Vees
Power-Plays: Vees 0/4 Chiefs 0/4
Three Stars: 1. Trevor Hills 2. Curtis Loik 3. Mitch Gillam
Attendance: 2, 194
Hardest Working Vee: Chad Katunar
Valley First Donation Grand Total: $3, 030
The loss was only the second in thirty-two home games for the Vees this season; both losses coming in overtime.
The Interior Conference Semi-Final series shifts to Chilliwack for games three and four at the Prospera Centre. Game three goes on Monday, March 19th as the Vees look to take a 2-1 series lead; puck drop is 7pm.
The loss means the series is guaranteed a game five which is back in Penticton on Thursday, March 22nd at 7pm; tickets are available at the SOEC box office or www.Valleyfirsttix.com
The pre-game show on EZ Rock AM 800 starts twenty minutes prior to puck drop; you can also tune in on MyEZRock.com, and at BCHL.ca where both the audio stream and Pay-Per-View video are available.
CONTACT: FRASER RODGERS
Director of Broadcasting, Media Relations
Penticton Vees Hockey Club
FraserRodgers@gmail.com(250) 809-1390
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