Author: Tim Hogg
PENTICTON VEES
President, General Manager & Head Coach: Fred Harbinson
2024-25 Record: GP 47 35-7-5-0, 75 pts (1st, Interior Conference)
Last Game: 4-3 win vs Alberni Valley, March 1st
Home: 17-1-5-0
Away: 18-6-0-0
GF: 180
GA: 122
Power Play: 37/150 (24.7% 5th in BCHL)
Penalty Kill: (108/134) (80.6% 6th in BCHL)
Scoring Leader: Ryden Evers (20-29-49)
A rare one game weekend for the Penticton Vees, kicks-off Friday night with the final meeting of the season with their rivals, the West Kelowna Warriors at the SOEC.
After playing four games in eight days, the Vees have quieter weekend. Penticton continues to pace the BCHL with 75 points, four clear of the Brooks Bandits. Brooks does hold one game in hand on Penticton and will use that Saturday in West Kelowna.
Penticton picked up three out of a possible four points last week against Spruce Grove and Alberni Valley. Friday, the Vees had a less than desirable effort and ultimately fell 4-3 in overtime to the Saints. Saturday, after several changes were made to the lineup, Penticton came from behind to beat the Bulldogs 4-3.
The line of Max Heise and Caton Ryan alongside team captain Conyr Hellyer led the charge in the comeback effort Saturday night, with Heise (2-1-3) and Ryan (0-2-2) each having multi-point third periods. Heise had an insurance goal called back with seconds remaining in the third period that would have completed his third hat-trick of the season. Ryan’s pair of assists gives him 11 points (4-7-11) in his last four games dating back to February 21st.
The Vees will look to close out their season series with the West Kelowna Warriors this weekend with five wins in six games, and five straight victories since dropping the first meeting of the season in November. It will be the third meeting since February 17th between the two Okanagan rivals.
Penticton will go back with Ethan Buenaventura in goal tonight. The 20-year-old was pulled in his last start against the Bulldogs, after allowing three goals on nine shots. Buenaventura has been excellent against West Kelowna, posting two wins in two games and owning .931 save percentage.
West Kelowna Warriors
Season Series:
November 5th, Penticton 0 at West Kelowna 3
December 13th, West Kelowna 2 at Penticton 5
December 14th, Penticton 5 at West Kelowna 2
February 17th, West Kelowna 4 at Penticton 5
February 22nd, Penticton 4 at West Kelowna 2
March 7th, West Kelowna at Penticton
General Manager & Head Coach: Simon Ferguson
2024-25 Record: 47 GP, 19-21-5-2, 45 pts (7th, Interior Conference)
Last Game: 4-2 Win vs Nanaimo, March 1st
Home: 12-10-1-1
Away: 7-11-4-1
GF: 130
GA: 154
Power Play: 22/157 (15.9%, 20th in BCHL)
Penalty Kill: 121/160 (75.2%, 19th in BCHL)
Scoring Leader: Jackson Kyrkostas (9-35-44)
The West Kelowna Warriors make their final stop of the regular season at the SOEC on Friday to begin a weekend gauntlet that includes a Saturday night game against the Brooks Bandits. The Warriors remain in a three-team race for the final two Interior Conference playoff spots with Okotoks and Spruce Grove. West Kelowna is three points up on the 8th place Oilers and six ahead of the 9th place Saints. Both Okotoks and Spruce Grove have two games in hand, however. The Warriors have to face the Vees, Bandits, Silverbacks, and Smoke Eaters in their final seven games. That’s the top four teams in the conference over the final three weeks.
The Warriors roll into Penticton winners of two straight games. West K posted an impressive 5-1 road win in Salmon Arm Friday and followed that up with a 4-2 win at home over Nanaimo. West Kelowna has scored four or more goals in five of their last seven games.
Goaltender Bor Glavič has been a huge addition since joining the Warriors in January. He’s posted a 7-4 record in 13 games with a 2.72 goals-against and .900 save percentage. He’s provided stability in their crease.
As good as Glavič has been, Edouard Gauthier have even better of late for the Warriors. Gauthier won both games last weekend and stopped 62 of 65 shots in those two games. Gauthier has posted a 3-2 record with a 1.83 goals-against and .943 save percentage. Does Head Coach Simon Ferguson ride the hot hand of Gauthier?
Swedish forward Elias Callgren has been hot lately for the Warriors, notching eight goals in his last seven games to go along with four assists. The 20-year-old from Lulea, Sweden, has led the charge for the Warriors’ march to the playoffs.
It’s Feed The Valley Night presented by Valley First. Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations and cash donations to help support the Salvation Army Food Bank. Fans who bring a minimum of five food donations or donate $10 in cash / credit, will be entered into the Vees Ultimate Playoff Experience. The package includes a suite night at the Vees’ first home playoff game.
