The Penticton Vees are back at the South Okanagan Events Centre as they welcome the Merritt Centennials to for the beginning of an exhibition weekend home-and-home on Friday night.
PRESEASON SCHEDULE
Wednesday, August 21st @ West Kelowna Warriors (2-1 Vees)
Friday, August 23rd vs. Merritt Centennials (7:00 PM)
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 Friday night’s home opening exhibition game after beginning the preseason on a high note with a 2-1 victory over the West Kelowna Warriors on Wednesday night at Royal LePage Place. Logan Gallaher opened the scoring for the Vees before Thomas Stift tallied a late 3rd period marker that proved to be the difference. Marek Pocherewny started the game in goal for Penticton, turning aside all 18 shots he faced before Cameron Milewski came on for the second half of the contest, earning the win and stopping 15 of the 16 shots thrown his way.
Penticton will ice a lineup that is much closer to resembling their opening night roster in tonight’s second exhibition game. Highly touted recruit and 2018 Philadelphia Flyers 1st round draft pick Jay O’Brien will make his preseason debut for the Vees along with returnees Lukas Sillinger, Jackson Niedermayer and David Silye who get into action for tonight’s contest up front.
Committed forwards Vincent Nardone, Tristan Amonte and Liam Malmquist will also slot in for Penticton tonight while forward Alex DiPaolo, who was acquired from the Coquitlam Express in July, will draw in up front as well.
On the back end, returning defenders Conner Hutchison and Evan McIntyre make their preseason debuts as well as committed defensemen Steve Holtz and Cade Webber. Returning 20-year-old netminder Derek Krall will man the blue paint and likely see all the action for tonight’s game.
Tickets for tonight’s game are just $5.00 with local children 18 and under getting into the game for FREE, courtesy of Peter Bros. Construction. If you can’t make it down to the rink, the game will be broadcasted live on HockeyTV.com with the Voice of the Vees Trevor Miller alongside Tim Hogg.
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.
