PHOTO: Cherie Morgan/Cherie Morgan Photography
The Penticton Vees return to action looking to get a two games to none lead in their best-of-seven Interior Conference Semi Final series against the Prince George Spruce Kings in Game #2 on Saturday night at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE vs. PRINCE GEORGE
Wednesday, October 26th @ Rolling Mix Concrete Arena (7-1 Spruce Kings) (BOXSCORE)
Friday, October 29th @ South Okanagan Events Centre (3-0 Vees) (BOXSCORE)
Wednesday, December 1st @ Rolling Mix Concrete Arena (5-1 Vees) (BOXSCORE)
Wednesday, January 19th @ Rolling Mix Concrete Arena (6-2 Spruce Kings) (BOXSCORE)
Saturday, February 19th @ South Okanagan Events Centre (3-2 Spruce Kings) (BOXSCORE)
Friday, March 4th @ South Okanagan Events Centre (3-2 Vees) (BOXSCORE)
SECOND ROUND SCHEDULE vs. PRINCE GEORGE
Game #1: Thursday, April 14th @ South Okanagan Events Centre (2-1 Vees) (BOXSCORE)
Game #2: Saturday, April 16th @ South Okanagan Events Centre (7:00 PM)
Game #3: Monday, April 18th @ Rolling Mix Concrete Arena (7:00 PM)
Game #4: Tuesday, April 19th @ Rolling Mix Concrete Arena (7:00 PM)
*Game #5: Thursday, April 21st @ South Okanagan Events Centre (7:00 PM)
*Game #6: Saturday, April 23rd @ Rolling Mix Concrete Arena (7:00 PM)
*Game #7: Monday, April 25th @ South Okanagan Events Centre (7:00 PM)
*- If Necessary
The Vees will look for a 2-0 series lead following a thrilling conclusion to Game #1 on Thursday night as Penticton topped Prince George by a 2-1 score. Bradly Nadeau scored in the final 22 seconds of the 2nd period to even the score before his older brother Josh put the Vees ahead in the final five seconds of the game to give Penticton a one-goal victory. Kaeden Lane was strong for the Vees in goal, turning aside 24 of the 25 shots thrown his way in his 5th win of the playoffs.
Vees Regular Season Leading Scorers:
Luc Wilson (29-46-75)
Josh Nadeau (40-32-72)
Bradly Nadeau (20-26-46)
Brett Moravec (22-19-41)
Casey McDonald (20-17-37)
Vees Playoff Leading Scorers:
Bradly Nadeau (2-5-7)
Luc Wilson (1-6-7)
Adam Eisele (1-5-6)
Josh Nadeau (3-2-5)
Brett Moravec (3-1-4)
Late game heroics on Thursday night were provided from forward Josh Nadeau, who continued his impressive stretch of play over the last few games in the playoffs following his 40-goal campaign in the regular season. The University of Maine commit has scored in each of his last three games and has points in four of his six playoff games so far. Nadeau added an assist as well on Thursday night and with his goal now shares the team lead in goal scoring with Brett Moravec, sitting with three markers in the playoffs.
Just like his brother, Bradly Nadeau also compiled a goal and an assist on Thursday night in helping the Vees to victory. Another commit to the Black Bears in Maine, Bradly has collected a point in each of his last three games as well as points in four of his last six contests. Bradly has earned a goal and an assist in each of his last two games while earning 2 goals and 3 assists ofr5 points in that span.
In a series that will be tight through and through, the Vees were the team in Game #1 to keep just a goal out of their net and over the last five games, that’s all Penticton has allowed. The Vees have surrendered just a goal in each of their last five contests, giving up a league low 9 goals against in the playoffs. Goaltender Kaeden Lane has been a big backbone in that as he has posted a 1.40 goals against average and a .940 save percentage in the postseason.
The Prince George Spruce Kings come into Game #2 looking to even their Interior Conference best-of-seven set against the Vees after a 2-1 loss in Game #1. Simon Labelle opened the scoring for the Spruce Kings but was the only goal in the game for Prince George while Jordan Fairlie was terrific in the game, turning aside 32 of the 34 shots he faced in his 1st loss of playoffs.
Spruce Kings Regular Season Leaders:
Nick Rheaume (29-30-59)
John Herrington (24-30-54)
Simon Labelle (12-32-44)
Rowan Miller (22-19-41)
Luc Laylin (13-19-32)
Spruce Kings Regular Season Leaders:
Luc Laylin (5-2-7)
Nick Rheaume (2-5-7)
Simon Labelle (4-2-7)
Kolton Cousins (2-2-4)
Rowan Miller (2-2-4)
With Prince George’s lone goal in Game #1, Simon Labelle has now carries a four-game point streak into Game #2 on Saturday night. The Ottawa, Ontario posted 12 goals and 32 assists for 44 points while playing in all 54 games during the regular season while he has registered 4 goals and 2 assists for 6 points in the postseason. During his stretch of four consecutive games with a point, the Colgate University commit has earned 3 goals and an assist for 4 points in that time, including scoring in three of those four games.
32 saves in Game #1 for Jordan Fairlie saw him be the 2nd star on Thursday night as he kept his team in the game with plenty of key stops. The Fort St. John, BC native played in 20 games during the regular season, compiling a 7-4-7 record to go along with a 2.01 goals against average and a .918 save percentage and 2 shutouts. Fairlie has gotten into two games in the playoffs, posting a 1-1 record while making 42 saves on 44 shots.
The Vees and Spruce Kings play Game #2 of their best-of-seven Interior Conference Semi Final series on Saturday night at the South Okanagan Events Centre. Puck drop is slated for 7:00 PM with tickets available for purchase at the Valley First Box Office at the SOEC as well as online at valleyfirsttix.com.
