Who: Vees vs. Warriors
Where: SOEC
When: 7pm
The Penticton Vees (22-8-0-3 / 12-4-0-1)step back on the ice for the first time in 13 days as they host their nearby rival, the West Kelowna Warriors (12-10-2-7 / 4-4-0-4). This is the first meeting between the two teams in over two months, the last encounter back on October 26th; a 4-1 win for the Vees at the SOEC.
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The Vees were on a bit of a roll before the Christmas break, winning four of their last five games before the 10 day hiatus, including a pair of wins over Vernon (3-1) and Nanaimo (5-2) most recently. The Vees have actually been playing some good hockey in the last month, winners of six of their eight and seven of their last 10.
Their offense has gotten a shot in the arm as well, especially at home. The Vees have scored five or more goals in three of their last four games; averaging just over four a game in their last five home games.
Helping the cause is Sam Mellor and Wade Murphy, as both are riding impressive point streaks. Mellor has an eight game point streak, amassing five goals and 11 points during his streak. Murphy has points in his last five outings, picking up two goals and eight points.
At the opposite end, The Vees have been a stingy bunch, not really in the festive giving mood. In their last five games, the Vees have not allowed more than two goals, and are only averaging 1.67 goals-against in the month of December; a lump of coal for their opponents.
The Vees didn’t get a gift from Santa when it comes to their line-up, as they will be missing two key pieces. Ryan Gropp, as expected, will be missing his first of four games, as he’s playing for Team Pacific at the World Under-17 Challenge in Quebec. Rob Mann won’t be on the blue-line tonight as he’s nursing a nagging lower-body injury. Some good news, as Mike Rebry returns to the Vees line-up for the first time in two months. Rebry missed 16 games with the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge and then a lower-body injury; tonight will be his first game since October 27th.
International news, as former Vees Mario Lucia and Mike Reilly are playing for the United States at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Ufa, Russia. The Americans have split their first two games, spanking Germany 8-0 and this morning losing 2-1 to the host Russians.
