BROADCAST INFORMATION
Game Time: 2:00 pm PDT
Location: SOEC
Webcast: Flo Hockey
Penticton Vees
GM & Head Coach: Fred Harbinson
2023-23 : GP 54 50-3-0-1 (1st, BCHL)
2023 Playoffs: BCHL Fred Page Cup champions
Returning Players: 2
2023 BCHL Exhibition: 2-0-0
Home: 1-0-0-0
Away: 1-0-0-0
GF: 8
GA: 4
Power Play: 1/5 (20%)
Penalty Kill: 8/10 (80%)
Scoring Leader: James Fisher 3-1-4
Vees final tune up before their BCHL regular season open against the West Kelowna Warriors next Friday. Penticton is 2-0 in the pre-season and a week ago today beat the Chilliwack Chiefs 3-1 down in the Fraser Valley.
The Vees were down 1-0 going into the third period against the Chiefs, before Jack Bakker, Connor MacPherson, and James Fisher scored. Andrew Ness went the distance in net and stopped all but one of the 19 shots he faced.
Penticton was hit with the injury bug in that game as 20-year-old forward Parker Murray left early in the second period with an upper body injury. He will not play today as the Vees wait to confirm his status going into the regular season.
A night before against Trail, 20-year-old defenceman Leon Matthiasson left the game with a lower body injury. His status is more promising, as the Vees expect him to be ready in the next couple weeks.
Penticton likely ice close to an opening night lineup and you can expect both Ness and Will Ingemann to see game action today in the Vees’ crease.
CHILLIWACK CHIEFS
GM & Head Coach: Brian Maloney
2023-23 : GP 54 (1st, BCHL)
2023 Playoffs: Coastal Conference Final (0-4 Alberni Valley)
Returning Players: 8
2023 BCHL Exhibition: 1-2-0-0
Home: 1-1-0-0
Away: 0-1-0-0
GF: 6
GA: 9
Power Play: 2/11 (18.18%)
Penalty Kill: 10/11 (90.91%)
Scoring Leader: Brady Milburn (1-2-3)
Today too is the Chiefs final pre-season tilt before they get going next Friday against the Langley Rivermen.
Chilliwack dropped a 5-3 decision at home to the Surrey Eagles on Tuesday. That’s back-to-back losses after they opened their pre-season with a 2-1 win over Prince George on September 8th.
The Chiefs too have a few injuries they’re dealing with. 16-year-old rookie Savin Virk will miss today’s game with an illness. Brendan Ruskowski, Hunter McInnis, and Lucas Sorace are out with injuries. Last week, GM & Head Coach Brian Maloney said they expect Sorace back in late October, early November. He will be a welcomed veteran presence to the blueline when he returns.
Import goaltender Vladimir Nikitin went the distance in the loss to Surrey on Tuesday. Expect to see 19-year-old Austin McNicholas go the distance today. He was excellent in half game’s work against the Vees last weekend, as he stopped all 22 shots he faced.
