The Penticton Vees (14-2-0-0) aim for their eighth consecutive victory and return home for Teddy Bear Toss Night as they host the Cranbrook Bucks (9-7-1-0) on Friday night at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
2021/22 REGULAR SEASON VS. CRANBROOK
Sunday, November 21st @ Western Financial Place (7-1 Vees) (BOXSCORE)
Friday, December 3rd @ South Okanagan Events Centre (7:00 PM)
Sunday, February 20th @ South Okanagan Events Centre (4:00 PM)
Friday, March 18th @ Western Financial Place (6:00 PM)
Saturday, March 19th @ Western Financial Place (6:00 PM)
Penticton comes back home eyeing their 8th straight victory after a 5-1 triumph over the Prince George Spruce Kings on Wednesday night at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena. Five different goal scorers in the likes of Josh Nadeau, Stefano Bottini, Casey McDonald, Luc Wilson and Spencer Smith all found the back of the net while Kaeden Lane stopped 26 of the 27 shots he faced in his 11th win of the season.
The Vees and Bucks will meet for the second time this season on Friday night after Penticton opened the season series with a 7-1 victory in late November at Western Financial Place. Fin Williams, Luc Wilson, Ryan Hopkins, Casey McDonald, Josh Nadeau, Frank Djurasevic and Thomas Pichette all found the back of the net in the win while Kaeden Lane turned aside 29 of the 30 shots thrown his way for the win in net.
Vees Leading Scorers:
Luc Wilson (12-13-25)
Josh Nadeau (14-9-23)
Fin Williams (6-17-23)
Bradly Nadeau (9-7-16)
Brett Moravec (6-10-16)
The Vees get a boost back into their lineup as forward Bradly Nadeau makes his return to Penticton after missing the last four games away at the Capital City Challenge, Hockey Canada’s annual Under-17 tournament. The University of Maine commit comes home with some hardware, earning silver in an overtime loss in the tournament final while Nadeau finished 5th in team scoring, amassing a goal and three assists for four points in five games while away in Ottawa, Ontario.
While his brother returns from out east, Josh Nadeau has kept the scoring going in his brother’s absence, tallying in each of his last 7 games and now 9 of his previous 10 contests. The University of Maine commit has collected 8 goals and 3 assists for 11 points over that 7 game span and has pushed himself into a tie for 3rd in the league in goal scoring with his 14-goal campaign thus far.
The Vees return home to the South Okanagan Events Centre for Teddy Bear Toss Night as well as the first time the building can hold 100% of its capacity as Interior Health announced Tuesday capacity limits for those using the BC Vaccine Passport would be rescinded. The Vees have enjoyed the sights and sounds of the SOEC, boasting an 8-0-0-0 record on home ice and is the only undefeated home team in the BC Hockey League. Penticton has outscored their opponents by a staggering 45-12 margin at the SOEC this season and owning a league-best 89.7% penalty kill at home, surrendering just four goals against on the PK while in the Peach City.
The Cranbrook Bucks make their way into Penticton on Friday night looking to earn their way back in the win column after a 7-4 defeat at the hands of the Trail Smoke Eaters on Wednesday night at Western Financial Place. Tyson Dyck scored twice in the game while Johnny Johnson and Noah Quinn tallied singles in the losing effort. Nathan Airey started the game for the Bucks, surrendering four goals on 13 shots before Evan Gartner came in to make 12 saves on 15 shots thrown his way and took the loss, the 3rd of the season.
Bucks Leading Scorers:
Tyson Dyck (11-14-25)
Noah Quinn (8-10-18)
Luke Pfoh (5-9-14)
Johnny Johnson (9-3-12)
Kellan Hjartarson (6-5-11)
A two-goal performance on Wednesday night for Bucks leading scorer Tyson Dyck has him sitting atop Cranbrook’s point totals with 11 goals and 14 assists for 25 points. The Abbotsford, BC native has points in 9 of his last 10 games, scoring 7 goals and adding 11 assists for 18 points over that span. Out of that stretch of solid play and point getting, the lone game in which he was held off of the scoresheet was against the Vees on November 21st.
The tilt between Penticton and Cranbrook may not feature many goals coming from either power play as the teams come in as some of the best penalty killing teams in the league. The Bucks PK has been solid all season, ranking 4th in the league at 85.3% while the Vees penalty kill checks in just ahead of that in 3rd at 85.5%. On the road, Cranbrook has locked down while being down a player, operating at 86.2% and giving up just four goals against while away from home on the penalty kill.
The Vees and Bucks will play the second of their five-game season series at the South Okanagan Events Centre tonight. Puck drop is slated for 7:00 PM with tickets available online at ValleyFirstTix.com as well as in person at the Valley First Box Office at the SOEC Box Office. The game will also be broadcasted live on Bounce Radio 800 as well as streamed on BCHLTV.ca beginning with the pre-game show at 6:40 PM.
Friday marks the annual Teddy Bear Toss taking place after the Vees opening goal of the night. Bring a new or gently used teddy bear, stuffed animal, pajamas, mittens, toques and more wrapped in a plastic bag to be collected after the Vees opening goal of the game. Interior Health also lifted capacity restrictions as the SOEC will now host 100% of their capacity, for the first time this season, on Friday night.
