PHOTO: Cherie Morgan/Cherie Morgan Photography
The Penticton Vees hit the road for their third exhibition game as they face-off against the Merritt Centennials to complete a weekend home-and-home at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.
PRESEASON SCHEDULE
Wednesday, August 21st @ West Kelowna Warriors (2-1 Vees)
Friday, August 23rd vs. Merritt Centennials (3-1 Vees)
Saturday, August 24th @ Merritt Centennials (7:00 PM)
Wednesday, August 28th vs. West Kelowna Warriors (6:30 PM)
Friday, August 30th vs. Brooks Bandits (7:00 PM)
Saturday, August 31st vs. Brooks Bandits (6:00 PM)
REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE VS. MERRITT
Friday, September 13th @ Nicola Valley Memorial Arena (7:00 PM)
Sunday, October 27th @ Nicola Valley Memorial Arena (2:00 PM)
Friday, November 29th @ Nicola Valley Memorial Arena (7:00 PM)
Saturday, November 30th @ South Okanagan Events Centre (6:00 PM)
Friday, January 17th @ South Okanagan Events Centre (7:00 PM)
Friday, January 24th @ South Okanagan Events Centre (7:00 PM)
The Vees enter Saturday’s preseason tilt with an undefeated preseason record thanks to a 3-1 victory over the Merritt Centennials on Friday night at the South Okanagan Events Centre. David Silye scored just 1:27 into the game before Steve Holtz netted the eventual game winning goal in the middle stanza. Jay O’Brien capped off the scoring in the 3rd period with a power play marker and iced a 3-1 victory for the Vees on home ice.
The lineup Penticton will send to Merritt will have less veterans up front but a fair bit of regulars on the back end. Forwards Danny Weight, Alex DiPaolo, Vincent Nardone and Liam Malmquist make their way into the lineup for the second straight game while three-year veterans Lach Hadley and Jack Barnes, along with Colton Kalezic, draw in for the first time in the exhibition season.
The blue line will see a majority of players who will hit the ice come the regular season as Evan McIntyre, Steve Holtz and Cade Webber draw in for a second straight night. Scott Gilowski also makes his second appearance of the preseason while Ethan Martini and Carson Kosobud get into action for the first time.
After making 19 saves on 20 shots in his preseason debut, Derek Krall will give the net to 19-year-old Yaniv Perets as the Quinnipiac University commit makes his first start of the preseason and will likely see the net for the duration of 60 minutes at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.
The Vees hit the road for the conclusion of their weekend home-and-home set against the Merritt Centennials with tonight’s matchup at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena. Puck drop is slated for 7:00 PM with the game being available on HockeyTV.com.
Season tickets are on sale now and the regular season just two weeks away with Penticton travelling to Trail to take on the Smoke Eaters on Friday, September 6th. The Vees home opener is slated for Friday, September 27th against the West Kelowna Warriors. Contact Director of Ticketing & Merchandise Laura Carleton for more information on season tickets and watching the Vees live this season.
