BROADCAST INFORMATION
Game Time: 7:00 pm PST
Location: South Okanagan Events Centre
Radio: Bounce 800 AM
Webcast: Flo Hockey
| Season Series | Playoff Series |
| Oct. 27, Vernon 3 at Penticton 5 | GM 1: April 19, Vernon 3 at Penticton 4 (OT) |
| Nov. 25, Penticton 1 at Vernon 2 (SO) | GM 2: Apr. 20, Vernon at Penticton, 7:00 pm |
| Dec. 31, Penticton 3 at Vernon 0 | GM 3: Apr. 23, Penticton at Vernon, 8:15 pm |
| Jan. 12, Vernon 1 at Penticton 2 | GM 4: Apr. 24, Penticton at Vernon, 8:15 pm |
| Feb 16, Vernon 2 at Penticton 4 | GM 5: Apr. 26, Vernon at Penticton, 7:00 pm* |
| GM 6: Apr. 28, Penticton at Vernon, 4:00 pm* | |
| GM 7: Apr. 30, Vernon at Penticton, 7:00 pm* | |
| *If necessary |
Penticton Vees
GM & Head Coach: Fred Harbinson
Regular Season Record : GP 54 38-10-3-3, 1st in the Interior Conference
Playoff Record: 5-0
Last Game: 4-3 OT win vs. Vernon (Apr. 19)
Home: 3-0
Away: 2-0
GF: 16
GA: 7
Power Play: (2/10) 20.0%
Penalty Kill: (10/12) 83.3%
Scoring Leaders: Anselmo Rego (4-1-5)
The Vees took a 1-0 series lead with their 4-3 overtime win Friday, over the Vernon Vipers at the SOEC. What a finish it was, as Anselmo Rego scored his second of the game, shorthanded, just 1:40 into the extra frame on a beautiful toe-drag snipe.
Penticton came back from a 3-1 second period deficit as they are a perfect 5-0 in the BCHL postseason. Friday was also the second consecutive game the Vees came back from a two-goal deficit to win. They were down 2-0 in the third period in Game Four against Prince George, before rallying to win 3-2. Back-to-back character wins.
Cade Littler returned to the lineup Friday, his first game of the playoffs and his first game since February 24th. He had missed the last 15 games with an upper-body injury. Big addition upfront for Penticton, as the 19-year-old’s size and skill will be a welcome addition, especially for this series.
Andrew Ness is the projected starter for Penticton, as they likely continue the goaltending rotation. Ness is 2-0 in the playoffs with a 1.00 goals-against average (GAA) and .933 save percentage (SV%). He was excellent against Vernon in the regular season, posting a 3-0 record with a 1.00 GAA and .958 SV%. He also had one shutout. That is likely the only lineup change for Penticton.
The Vees are 3-0 at the SOEC so far in the BCHL Playoffs and have won their last 12 home playoff games dating back to April 1, 2022.
Vernon Vipers
Assistant Coaches: Colton Sparrow, Lukas Lomicky
Regular Season Record: GP 54 33-19-2-0, 4th in the Interior Conference
Playoff Record: 4-2
Last Game: 4-3 OTL at Penticton (Apr. 19)
Home: 3-0
Away: 1-2
GF: 23
GA: 14
Power Play: 4/16 25%
Penalty Kill: 14/19 73.7%
Scoring Leader: Owen Kim (5-3-8)
Vernon suffered their first overtime loss of the BCHL Playoffs Friday. It also was their first loss of the postseason when leading going into the third.
The Vipers played a very solid road game last night and were two minutes away from taking Game One, before Callum Arnott tied it for the Vees. Vernon is likely lamenting their missed opportunities on the power play. They had two power plays in key moments last night. First, when leading 3-2 midway through the third, they had a chance to go up 4-2 but couldn’t covert. Then the shorthanded overtime goal by Anselmo Rego stings. Vernon was -2 in the special teams department Friday.
Friday was also an uncharacteristic finish by the Vipers, as they have been one of the best third period teams in the BCHL Playoffs. Before last night, the Vipers had outscored their opposition 13-5 in the final period. Last night, the Vees got the only goal and forced OT. In the regular season, Vernon was 23-2-1-0 when leading after two periods.
Goaltender Ethan David has been excellent in the playoffs, as he came into the series with .944 save percentage but would want to have a redo on the Vees’ tying goal in the third period. A sign of a good goalie, a veteran goalie, is how they bounce back. Expect him to be dialled in tonight.
Forward Owen Kim is off to an excellent start in the BCHL Playoffs, as he leads his team with eight points (5G, 3A) in five games. Right behind him is his linemate Isaac Tremblay who also has eight points (2G, 6A).
Despite the overtime loss, Vernon is 9-1-2-0 since the coaching change that took place on March 16th. Assistants Colton Sparrow and Lukas Lomicky have the Vipers playing their best hockey of the season.
