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Game Recap: Heise’ hat-trick leads Vees to fifth straight win

Photo: Cherie Morgan

Penticton, BC – The Penticton Vees have extended their win streak to five games and their point streak to 16 (14-0-2-0) games, after their 6-1 triumph over the visiting Cowichan Valley Capitals, Friday at the South Okanagan Events Centre (SOEC).

It was a special night, as the Vees held an Indigenous Night in partnership with the Penticton Indian Band, which included them wearing orange jerseys designed by a local artist, that were auctioned off for charity.

Max Heise led the way, as he posted his second hat-trick of the season, on his way to being named the first star. 16-year-old rookie Eli McKamey had a goal and three points in the win. Caton Ryan, who played on a line with Heise and McKamey, chipped in with a pair of assists. The three of them combined had eight points.

Anselmo Rego and Luke Posthumus also scored, as the Vees maintained their five-point lead atop of the Interior Conference standings. Penticton improved their home record to 14-2-1-0.

Goaltender Will Ingemann was sharp, as he stopped 20 of 21 shots for his 17th win. Ingemann was at his best in the second period, when he stopped all 11 shots he faced. He came up clutch in the middle frame when the Vees needed a save the most.

Heise and Cowichan Valley’s Jordan Bax traded goals in the first period, as the two teams were tied 1-1 after 20 minutes. After Bax had opened the scoring for the Capitals, before Heise tied the game at 15:37.

In the second period, the Vees had a quick start, scoring twice in 22 seconds to go ahead 3-1 before the five minute mark. McKamey scored his eighth goal at 4:02 from inside the Capitals’ crease. That goal stood up to be the game-winner, but Penticton wasn’t done there.

Rego scored 22 seconds after McKamey, as he finished off a great pass from Conyr Hellyer that made it 3-1 in a hurry. Rego’s 11th came at 4:24. The Vees were close to scoring more, as they hit three posts in the middle frame.

The Vees kept coming in the third period, scoring three more times on 15 shots. Heise scored his second of the game just 36 seconds into the final frame that stretched the lead to 4-1. Posthumus added to the lead, as he scored his 21st at 4:48 that put the Vees up 5-1. The play went to video review, but the call on the ice was upheld by the referees. Posthumus managed to jab the puck over the goalie’s glove and in.

Heise scored his hat-trick goal with two and a half minutes remaining. McKamey danced down the wing before dishing to Heise, who fired home the one-timer low on the stick side at 17:24.

GAME NOTES

After Friday’s game, Eli McKamey now has five points (3G, 2A) in two games. Friday was Max Heise’s third career hat-trick and second one this season. He had a hat-trick November 23rd, against Vernon. Luke Posthumus extended his point streak to eight games (8G, 5A) with his goal. Anselmo Rego has points in six of his last seven games.

GAME STATS 

Shots: Vees- 42 Capitals- 21

Scoring: Max Heise (17th, 18th, 19th), Eli McKamey (8th), Anselmo Rego (11th), Luke Posthumus (21st)

Goaltending: Will Ingemann (W), 60:00, 20/21

Vees Power Play: 0/2

Vees Penalty Kill: 2/2

Three Stars:

1) Max Heise (3G)

2) Eli McKamey (1G, 2A)

3) Anselmo Rego (1G, 1A)

Attendance: 2,783

Up Next: Saturday, February 1st, vs. Brooks Bandits, 6:00 pm PST.