HEADER

GAME PREVIEW: Vees Conclude Season Series Against Clippers On First Responders Night

PHOTO: Cherie Morgan/Cherie Morgan Photography

The Penticton Vees (11-2-1-0) look to finish off the weekend with a victory as they face-off against the Nanaimo Clippers (9-4-0-1) for First Responders Night at the South Okanagan Events Centre on Saturday night.

TICKETS

LISTEN

WATCH

REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE VS. NANAIMO

Sunday, September 22nd @ Frank Crane Arena (4-3 Vees) (BOXSCORE)

Saturday, October 19th @ South Okanagan Events Centre (6:00 PM)

Penticton comes into Saturday night’s contest looking to shake a three-game losing skid after falling by a 2-1 score in overtime to the Vernon Vipers on Friday night at the South Okanagan Events Centre. Alex DiPaolo tallied the lone goal as the Vees peppered the Vipers net with 40 shots but could not come away with the extra point in overtime. Yaniv Perets made 26 saves on 28 shots in his first overtime loss of the season.

The Vees and Clippers have squared off once this season with their season series coming to a close tonight after Penticton earned a 4-3 victory over Nanaimo at Frank Crane Arena in late September. Danny Weight scored twice in the game for the Vees while Tristan Amonte and Carson Kosobud added singles in the win. Derek Krall stopped 15 of the 18 shots thrown his way in between the pipes.

Vees Leading Scorers:

Jay O’Brien (8-14-22)

Danny Weight (8-10-18)

Lukas Sillinger (4-11-15)

David Silye (4-8-12)

Colton Kalezic (5-6-11)

University of Michigan commit Steve Holtz has been a big part of the Vees back end this season and has found his offensive touch over the last pair of games, registering an assist on two of the Vees last three markers. The White Lake, Michigan native is third on scoring amongst defencemen on the Vees with a goal and six assists on the season for seven points.

Despite having not won their last three games, the Vees have been getting lots of rubber on goal and just haven’t found a way to find the back of the net more frequently. Penticton has fired 115 shots on goal over the last three games, averaging out to just over 38 shots on goal per contest but have tallied three goals in that span. Over the past two 2nd periods, the Vees have outshot their opponents by a 42-19 margin.

Although the Vees and Clippers only see each other twice a season, the rivalry between the two squads is a strong one. Penticton comes into the final regular season meeting against Nanaimo having won four of the last six meetings between the two clubs, including a come-from-behind 4-3 victory in late September. Two of those victories have come at Frank Crane Arena while the other two have taken place at the South Okanagan Events Centre with the Vees outscoring the Clippers by a 16-14 margin over the last six contests.

The Nanaimo Clippers enter Saturday night’s affair looking to get back in the win column after a 4-1 loss at the hands of the Trail Smoke Eaters on Friday night at the Trail Memorial Centre. Josh Bourne scored the lone goal in the game for the Clippers while Zachary Bennett turned aside 31 of the 34 shots he faced in his 3rd loss of the season.

Clippers Scoring Leaders:

Ethan Scardina (8-9-17)

Josh Bourne (8-6-14)

Kyler Kovich (6-4-10)

Robby Drazner (1-9-10)

Devon Mussio (0-10-10)

Nanaimo’s offensive game has been taking a strong turn since the last time these two teams met and Josh Bourne has been a big part of that. The Richmond, BC native has tallied points in each of his last nine games, scoring 6 goals and 6 assists for 12 points over that span while also registered a goal in each of his last four games. Bourne sits in a tie for the team lead in goals scored with 8 on the season and is second in team scoring with 14 points.

Adding to the Clippers success offensively has been the production of blueliner Robby Drazner, who has collected a point in each of his last 7 games. The Buffalo Grove, Illinois native has earned 7 assists over that span, earning a helper in each of his last seven contests. Drazner is tied for 8th amongst defensive scoring in the BCHL with his 10 points on the season.

Getting the start in between the pipes for Nanaimo will be second-year goaltender Jordan Naylor, who comes into tonight’s game boasting the best goals against average and save percentage in the BCHL. The Aldergrove, BC native owns a 5-1 record in 6 games this season while posting a 1.48 GAA and a .953 SV% to go along with 2 shutouts this season. Naylor was in goal last season when the Clippers came to the SOEC, surrendering 4 goals on 40 shots in the defeat.

The Vees and Clippers drop the puck at 6:00 PM at the South Okanagan Events Centre with tickets available at the SOEC Box Office as well as ValleyFirstTix.com. A reminder that all First Responders (Police, Fire, Emergency, EMT and Search & Rescue) gain FREE admission into tonight’s game in conjunction with First Responders Night.