PHOTO: Cherie Morgan/Cherie Morgan Photography
The Penticton Vees look to finish off the preseason on a perfect note as they host the AJHL’s Brooks Bandits for the second of their two-game doubleheader on Saturday night at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
PRESEASON SCHEDULE
Wednesday, August 21st @ West Kelowna Warriors (2-1 Vees) (BOXSCORE)
Friday, August 23rd vs. Merritt Centennials (3-1 Vees) (BOXSCORE)
Saturday, August 24th @ Merritt Centennials (5-2 Vees) (BOXSCORE)
Wednesday, August 28th vs. West Kelowna Warriors (9-1 Vees) (BOXSCORE)
Friday, August 30th vs. Brooks Bandits (5-2 Vees) (BOXSCORE)
Saturday, August 31st vs. Brooks Bandits (6:00 PM)
Penticton looks to cap off an undefeated preseason slate after a 5-2 victory over the Bandits a night ago at the SOEC. In a game that saw 16 power plays between the two teams, the Vees penalty kill held strong, going 8-for-9 on the night and holding a strong Bandits power play at bay. The goaltending of Yaniv Perets was a noticeable factor as well as the Dollard-des-Ormeaux native turned aside 26 of the 28 shots he faced in his 2nd win of the preseason.
The Vees opened the scoring courtesy of Tristan Amonte, who tallied his 3rd goal of preseason action before the Bandits tied the score and eventually took their first lead of the game early in the 2nd period. Captain David Silye tied the game for Penticton before a deke to the backhand from Lukas Sillinger gave the Vees a lead they would not surrender. Third period goals from Vincent Nardone and an empty net marker from Jackson Niedermayer helped the Vees to the 5-2 home ice win.
The exhibition season has been a strong one for Amonte, the son of former NHLer Tony Amonte while his brother Ty played a season in the Peach City during the 2016/17 campaign. The 6’0”, 167-pound forward plays beyond his size, crashing to the net and has shown slick finish around the goal, tallying three goals in three preseason games.
Jay O’Brien continued his outstanding preseason for the Vees, following up a four-point night on Wednesday against West Kelowna with a three-assist affair on Friday against Brooks. The Boston University commit now has 2 goals and 6 assists for 8 points in just three exhibition games to pace all scorers in the BCHL.
The Bandits will look to rebound after the 5-2 loss at the hands of the Vees last night and continue their preseason schedule on a high note. Corson Ceulemans and Trey Thomas each tallied for Brooks while Pierce Charleson stopped 15 of the 19 shots thrown his way in the defeat.
It was a pair of two-point nights for two Bandits forwards as Randy Hernandez and Brayden Krieger each finished the game with a duo of helpers. Hernandez, a Miami, Florida native, had 10 goals and 15 assists for 25 points in 29 games last season with Brooks. A product of Elora, Ontario, Krieger is entering his first season with the Bandits while the 18-year-old had a breakout season with the Listowel Cyclones of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) last season, scoring 36 goals and adding 48 assists for 84 points in just 48 games played.
The AJHL has a later start than the BCHL, beginning their regular season one week later and the Bandits have more preseason games on the horizon. They complete their BC swing by visiting the Vernon Vipers on Sunday afternoon at Kal Tire Place before hosting the Drumheller Dragons back in Brooks on Wednesday. The weekend sees the Bandits on the road in Alberta, facing off against the Dragons and Okotoks Oilers.
The second game of the doubleheader between the Vees and Bandits and Penticton’s final preseason contest goes at 6:00 PM tonight with tickets just $5 for the preseason tilt and available at the SOEC Box Office. If you can’t make it to the rink, the game will be broadcasted live on HockeyTV.com with the Voice of the Vees, Trevor Miller.
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.
