PENTICTON, B.C. – The Penticton Vees came up just short in their 2-1 shootout loss to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, Saturday night at the South Okanagan Events Centre (SOEC).
Saturday’s game was the sixth and final game in the season series between the two Okanagan rivals and it did not disappoint. How close was the seasons series? Five of the six games were decided by a goal, and the final two were decided in overtime.
“I really liked our effort tonight. I thought we limited their chances. Overall, it was a great game by both teams. We responded great after they scored first, and that is what you need come playoff time,” commented Director of Hockey Operations, Matt Miller post-game.
Max Heise scored the Vees’ only goal on Saturday, as he leveled the game midway through the second period, after Salmon Arm had taken the lead six minutes earlier.
Outside of a controversial disallowed goal late in the third period, the main storyline was the two goaltenders. Penticton’s Andrew Ness and Salmon Arm’s Eli Pulver combined to stopped 73 of 75 shots through regulation and overtime.
Pulver was the game’s first star after his 42-save performance and Ness was the second star on the night, as he stopped 31 of 32 shots.
Isaac Lambert scored the Silverbacks’ lone goal of regulation, seven and a half minutes into the second period, that broke a scoreless deadlock. Cole Cooksey secured the extra point for Salmon Arm with his shootout winner.
Late in the third period, Penticton thought they had gone ahead 2-1 on a shorthanded goal by Billy Renfrew after he appeared to jam the puck across the goal line from inside the crease. However, the play was reviewed, and the video review ruled the play inconclusive. That play and subsequent review came with less than three minute left in regulation.
Penticton did get a power play in overtime but were unable to manufacture a goal. Their best look came off the stick of Callum Arnott, but he had his one-timer glance off Pulver’s shoulder.
Salmon Arm’s Cole Cooksey scored the only goal in the three-round shootout, as the Silverbacks won their fifth-straight game.
GAME NOTES
Penticton’s home record is now 21-3-0-1. The Vees are 0-3 in shootouts this season. Billy Renfrew had his eight-point streak come to an end in the loss. Salmon Arm was 2-0 at the SOEC this season; both games ending in identical 2-1 scores.
GAME STATS
Shots: 43-33, Vees
Vees Scoring: Heise (6)
Vees Goaltending: Andrew Ness (L) 70:00 32/33
Power-Plays
Vees: 0/4
Silverbacks: 0/4
Three Stars:
1) Eli Pulver
2) Andrew Ness
3) Max Heise
ATTENDANCE: 2,755
NEXT GAME: The Vees (38-8-3-3) host the Trail Smoke Eaters at the SOEC on Friday, March 29th; puck drop is 7:00 pm. Tickets available at www.valleyfirsttix.com
