The Penticton Vees kick-off a busy week tonight at the SOEC, when they host the Vernon Vipers in pre-season action; puck drop is 7 pm. Tonight marks a stretch of four games in five days, as they finish out their exhibition schedule ahead of their regular season opener Saturday, September 10th.
After tonight the Vees head up to West Kelowna tomorrow night, then it’s a home-and-home with the Trail Smoke Eaters Friday and Saturday on the September long weekend.
Penticton is off to a good start in their first week of BCHL-X action, winning against West Kelowna (2-0) and Vernon (4-1), last Wednesday and Thursday. Vernon hasn’t had the same good fortune, as they’ve lost their first three pre-season tilts. After dropping their opener to Penticton, they lost both games over the weekend to Merritt in a home-and-home. Vernon finishes their pre-season schedule this weekend, in a home-and-home with Salmon Arm.
The Vees will dress a line-up that features a a good mixture of veterans and recruits. Mat Robson will get the start in goal, with Nolan Hildebrand likely getting the nod tomorrow up in West-K. Not playing tonight is Gabe Bast, Desi Burgart, Mitch Meek, Ryley Risling and Jonny Tychonick.
Vernon has 11 returning players from last season’s squad that lost in the first round of playoffs to the Vees. Back up front is Riley Brandt, Christian Cakebread, Steven Jandric, Jimmy Lambert, Nic Rasovic, Hunter Zandee and Jagger Williamson. Back on the blue-line is veteran Mitch Oliver and sophomores Darren Rizzolo and Callum Volpe.
Tonight’s game will be broadcast live on Fasthockey pay-per-view. Fans can log-on to www.fasthockey.com to watch, with a brief pre-game show starting at 6:55 pm.
