Photo: Cherie Morgan
PENTICTON, B.C. – The Penticton Vees are off to the Interior Divisional Final after their 2-1 come-from-behind overtime win against the Vernon Vipers, Friday at the South Okanagan Events Centre (SOEC).
Co-Captain Thomas Pichette scored just 42 seconds into overtime, as the Vees completed the dramatic come from behind win and the series in five games.
“We stayed with it all night; I think that was the key. We didn’t try and force anything. We got pucks on net, got traffic to the goal and we didn’t get frustrated. We stuck to the game plan,” said Vees’ Director of Hockey Operations Matt Miller post-game.
Larry Keenan tied the game with just 1:51 left on the clock, as they Vees capitalized on a six-on-five situation inside the final two minutes. Keenan’s goal forced overtime, which set up Pichette’s dramatics.
“We did a good job of pushing their d[efence] back and keeping them hemmed into their own zone. We spent shift after shift in their end and got our chances. We knew it was going to come and it eventually did on the six-on-five.
It was a tight-checking elimination game, as it was scoreless until early in the third period when Vernon broke the 0-0 tie.
Erik Pastro put the visitors ahead 1-0 three minutes into the third. Pastro scored his second of the playoffs and series on a backhand that found daylight between Will Ingemann and the post.
It stayed that way until the final two minutes of regulation when the Vees tied it. With Ingemann pulled for the extra skater, it was Keenan finding the loose puck in the crease and sliding it underneath the goalie’s pad. Keenan’s first career BCHL playoff goal forced OT.
Thomas Pichette spins, fires, and ends it!
The @PentictonVees tie it late, and score early in overtime to win Game 5 in thrilling fashion. They take the series 4 games to 1 over the Vernon Vipers.#BCHLPlayoffs | @Rogers pic.twitter.com/GmGEi5g3MK
— BCHL (@BCHockeyLeague) April 27, 2024
In the extra frame, Pichette scored on the Vees’ first shot, as he banked the puck of the goalie and in just 42 seconds into OT. Pichette grabbed the loose puck behind the Vernon net, before he curled out to the side and banked his no-look shot off the goalie’s arm and in.
GAME STATS
Shots: 40-15, Vees
Vees Scoring: Larry Keenan (1st), Thomas Pichette (2nd)
Vees Goaltending: Will Ingemann (W) 60:42 14/15
Power-Plays
Vees: 0/3
Vipers: 0/1
Three Stars:
1) Thomas Pichette
2) Ethan David (VER)
3) Larry Keenan
NEXT GAME: The Vees face the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in the Interior Divisional Final, with Game One slated for Thursday, May 2nd, at the SOEC. Tickets are available right now at www.valleyfirsttix.com
