Vernon, BC- The Penticton Vees picked up where they left off at the BCHL All-Star break, winning 4-0 against the Vernon Vipers, Wednesday at Kal Tire Place.
Playing their first game in 11 days, the Vees (33-3-0-0) earned their third consecutive victory and moved 17 points ahead of the Cranbrook Bucks for top spot in the Interior Conference. The Vees had won their last two games before the BCHL 60th Anniversary Weekend in Penticton last week.
Bradly Nadeau had a pair of goals and a game high three points. Brett Moravec and Aydar Suniev also scored in the win. Josh Nadeau chipped in with two assists.
Luca Di Pasquo picked up his third shutout of the season with a 20-save effort. He was named the first star.
Moravec broke the ice late in the first period, putting the Vees up 1-0 at 16:17. Moravec parked himself in front of the Vernon net and redirected Josh Niedermayer’s shot for his 20th of the season.
Bradly doubled Penticton’s lead inside the final two minutes of the middle frame when he scored his first of two on the night. Jackson Nieuwendyk chipped the puck to Bradly, who squeezed his shot through the arm of Vernon’s Ethan David for his 30th goal of the season at 18:13.
In the third, Suniev cashed in on a Vees’ power play to put the visitors up by three. The 18-year-old wheeled off the wall and from the slot fired a dart over the goalie’s glove at 2:41 for his 26th goal.
Bradly put the finishing touches on the win with his second of the game with four minutes left. The Nadeau brothers played give-and-go, with Bradly tapping in the cross-ice pass from older brother Josh. Bradly’s second of the night and 31st of the campaign.
GAME NOTES
Bradly Nadeau is the first player in the BCHL to hit the 30-goal mark this season. He now has 20 points (5G, 15A) in his last 11 games. With his goal Wednesday, Aydar Suniev now has 10 goals in his last 10 games. Wednesday marked the return of Thomas Pichette. The Vees forward had missed the last nine games due to injury. Wednesday was also the BCHL debut of Jack Bakker. The 15-year-old recently committed to the Vees for the 2023-24 season. Bakker currently plays at the Delta Hockey Academy.
GAME STATS
Final Score: 4-0, Vees
Shots: 35-20, Vees
Vees Scoring: Bradly Nadeau (2), Moravec, Suniev
Vees PP: 1/5
Vees PK: 3/3
Three Stars:
- Luca Di Pasquo
- Bradly Nadeau
- Jackson Nieuwendyk
Attendance: 2,276
Next Game: Saturday, Jan. 28 at Cranbrook Bucks, 6:00 pm
