Photo: Jack Murray
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Game Time: 7:00 pm PST
Location: South Surrey Arena
Radio: Bounce 800 am
Webcast: Hockey TV
Penticton Vees
GM & Head Coach: Fred Harbinson
2022-23: GP 37 34-3-0-0, 1st Interior Conference
Home: 17-0-0-0
Away: 17-3-0-0
GF: 196
GA: 66
Power Play: 36.1% (1)
Penalty Kill: 84.5% (2)
Top Scorer: Bradly Nadeau (31-42-73)
| Last 5 Games | Next 5 Games |
| 2-1 W @ Cranbrook (Jan. 28) SO | Feb. 4 at Victoria, 7:00 pm |
| 4-0 W @ Vernon (Jan. 25) | Feb. 10 vs. Coquitlam, 7:00 pm |
| 5-3 W vs. Cowichan Valley (Jan. 14) | Feb. 17 vs. West Kelowna, 7:00 pm |
| 7-2 W @ Trail (Jan. 13) | Feb. 18 @ Merritt, 7:00 pm |
| 3-0 L @ Prince George (Jan. 7) | Feb. 20 vs. Cranbrook, 2:00 pm |
Last Game: The Vees pushed their win streak to four games with their 2-1, come-from-behind, shootout win over the Cranbrook Bucks last Saturday. Down 1-0 going into the third period, the Vees got a goal from Jackson Nieuwendyk to tie it and force overtime. Thomas Pichette scored the winner in the fifth-round of the shootout. Luca Di Pasquo was sharp in net, as he stopped 19 of 20 shots and four of five shots in the shootout. Saturday was the Vees third come from behind win of the season and second against Cranbrook. That win increased their lead to 16 points atop of the Interior Conference standings.
Tonight’s Game: Lone meeting in the regular season against the Surrey Eagles and the first since Oct. 21, of last season when the Vees beat the Eagles 6-2 at the BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack. Tonight, is Penticton’s first trip to Surrey since Nov. 1, 2019. They won that game 5-3.
The Vees enter the weekend riding a four-game win streak, as they are once again on the road. Tonight, kicks-off a two-game Coastal Conference road swing, as Penticton visits the Victoria Grizzlies tomorrow. Penticton sports a BCHL-best 17-3-0-0 record and have won their last three away from the SOEC. The Vees have one road loss over the last seven weeks. The Vees are 5-0-0-0 against the Coastal Conference.
Bradly Nadeau was named the BCHL’s First Star for the month of January, the league announced Wednesday. The 17-year-old had 12 points (4G, 8A) in seven games. He was named the October First Star of the Month and was the Second Star in November. Nadeau has a four-game point streak coming into tonight’s game. He has four goals and nine points over his last four games.
Thomas Pichette returned to the lineup last week and forwards Cal Arnott and Billy Norcross inch closer to a return. Both have resumed skating this week. Both were hurt in Trail back on Jan. 13. Ben Brunette remains week-to-week.
Surrey Eagles
GM & Head Coach: Cam Keith
2022-23: GP 35 23-9-2-1, 2nd Coastal Conference
Home: 14-2-0-1
Away: 9-7-2-0
GF: 141
GA: 96
Power Play: 20.7% (8)
Penalty Kill: 84.4% (3)
Top Scorer: Jacob Bonkowski (22-22-44)
| Last 5 Games | Next 5 Games |
| 5-0 W vs. Cowichan Valley (Jan.29) | Feb. 5 vs. Coquitlam, 4:00 pm |
| 4-1 L at Chilliwack (Jan. 28) | Feb. 10 vs. Victoria, 7:00 pm |
| 4-1 L at Alberni Valley (Jan. 14) | Feb. 11 at Chilliwack, 6:00 pm |
| 4-3 OTL at Nanaimo (Jan. 13) | Feb. 17 vs. Langley, 7:00 pm |
| 4-3 SOL vs. Coquitlam (Jan. 8) | Feb. 19 vs. Chilliwack, 4:00 pm |
Last Game: The Eagles snapped a four-game losing streak on Sunday, with their 5-0 shutout win over the Cowichan Valley Capitals at home. With his fifth shutout of the season and sixth of his career, Eli Pulver passed Tommy Tartaglione for the all-time lead in franchise history. Pulver is tied with Victoria’s Oliver Auyeung-Ashton for the most shutouts in the BCHL this season.
Prior to Sunday’s win, the Eagles suffered just their third loss at home, losing 4-1 to Chilliwack on Friday. That on the heels of two defeats on the road a week prior against Alberni Valley and Nanaimo. One silver lining is they picked up a single point in two of those four losses.
Scouting Report: Surrey is 14-2-0-1 at the “The Nest” this season, as they have the second-most home wins in the Coastal Conference. Prior to Friday’s loss, the Eagles last home defeat was back on Dec. 2, against Salmon Arm. The Olympic-sized ice at South Surrey Arena presents a unique advantage for the Eagles. How unique? They are a +44 in goal differential at home, compared to just +1 on the road.
Much like Penticton, the Eagles boast a high-powered offence. Surrey’s 141 goals is the third-best behind Penticton (196) and Nanaimo (147). The Eagles are averaging four-goals a game entering tonight’s matchup with the Vees. Jacob Bonkowski leads the Eagles with 44 points (22-22-44) and sits sixth in BCHL scoring. His 22 goals ranks fifth in the BCHL too. Jake Bongo is eight in league scoring with 42 points (15-27-42). Tonight’s game features five players in the top eight in BCHL scoring. Defenceman Tate Taylor is the third-highest scoring defenceman in the BCHL with 36 points (10-26-36).
Pulver has had a great season in the Eagles crease. The 19-year-old is tied with the Vees Luca Di Pasquo for fifth in the BCHL in save percentage (.921). He is fourth in wins (16), fourth in goals-against average (2.40), and is tied for first in shutouts (5).
