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Game Recap: Meier the OT hero, as Vees edge Silverbacks

by fraserr

Photo: Cherie Morgan

Penticton, B.C. – The Penticton Vees paid a fitting tribute to the Penticton Panthers era on Friday night. In a game that looked like it could have been from the mid 1990’s, the Vees edged the Salmon Arm Silverbacks 2-1 in overtime at the SOEC, thanks to a dramatic game-winning goal from Simon Meier.

Friday was the kick-off to The Vees’ Panthers Retro Weekend, as they host over 20 alumni from across the 14-year history of the Panthers. The game looked like something straight out of the mid 1990’s, as open ice was hard to come by.

The win came in Meier’s first game back with the Vees after his successful stint with Team Switzerland at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Ottawa, Ontario.

Meier’s game-winner came three and a half minutes into the extra frame, as he scored stick side on a three-on-two rush. Friday was the 19-year-old’s first game with the Vees since December 6th.

Friday was the Vees third game in their last four to go to overtime and with the win they remain two points ahead of the Brooks Bandits for top spot in the Interior Conference.

Louie Wehmann scored the Vees’ only goal in regulation and did so just 55 seconds into the game. Wehmann’s seventh put Penticton up 1-0 early.

Ethan Buenaventura remains undefeated in regulation, as the 20-year-old goaltender stopped 22 of 23 shots. Buenaventura is now 7-0-1-0 in eight games since joining the Vees in mid-November.

Maddux Martin scored Salmon Arm’s lone goal, a power play marker in the second period. The Silverbacks now have the most overtime losses in the BCHL with six. Andrew Ballantyne was tagged with the loss in the Silverbacks’ goal after he stopped 29 of 31 shots.

Salmon Arm did have a go ahead goal waved off in the second period after video review by the referees determined the Silverbacks had contacted Vees’ goaltender Ethan Buenaventura inside the crease.

There wasn’t much wiggle room for either team out there Friday. Penticton held Salmon Arm to just 13 shots over the final two periods and overtime. The two teams had just a combined 11 shots in the third period.

GAME NOTES

Meier’s goal was his first since November 11th against the Trail Smoke Eaters. The Vees improved their overtime record to 2-2 and have won three of four games against Salmon Arm this season. With his goal Friday, Louie Wehmann now as three points in his last three games.

GAME STATS 

Shots: Vees- 31 Silverbacks-23

Scoring: Louie Wehmann (7th), Simon Meier (5th)

Goaltending: Ethan Buenaventura (W), 22/23, 63:29

Vees Power Play: 0/1

Vees Penalty Kill: 2/3

Three Stars:

1) Simon Meier (1G)

2) Louie Wehmann (1G)

3) Ethan Buenaventura (23 SVS)

Attendance: 2,712

Up Next: The Vees (25-6-2-0) host the Cranbrook Bucks (17-13-1-0), Saturday, January 11th, at 6:00 pm.