MERRITT, B.C. – The Penticton Vees ended their weekend with a 4-0 shutout win over the Merritt Centennials, Sunday at Nicola Valley Memoria Arena. Penticton swept their two road games this weekend have now won three straight.
Assistant Coach Matthew Vanden Berg
With their win this afternoon, the Vees moved four points ahead of West Kelowna for top spot in the Interior and have widen the gap to eight points between them and third place Salmon Arm.
“Obviously with a shutout you point to the defensive effort first and foremost. Outside of their rush chance in the first period, we didn’t give up much to Merritt, including on their two power plays,” stated Assistant Coach Matthew Vanden Berg post-game. “It’s not just our seven defencemen, our forwards worked hard as well, tracking back, and blocking shots. This is our team identity we’re starting to develop.”
Sunday was the Vees sixth win in as many games against the Centennials this season. The Vees have outscored Merritt 26-10 in the six games. Penticton hasn’t lost a game to the Centennials since February 15th, 2019.
After a scoreless first period, Penticton scored three times in the second period and added an empty net goal in the third. James Fisher and Callum Arnott each had a pair of goals in the win. Billy Renfrew chipped in with two assists.
Will Ingemann registered his third shutout this season with his 22-save performance. Sunday was Ingemann’s second shutout against the Cents in four starts. The Vees have now recorded five shutouts.
“Jesse Plewis [goaltending coach] and our staff have been talking to Will about less is more and focus on keeping it simple. He has really embraced that mentality and you could see it in his game today. He was so solid,” commented Vanden Berg.
Penticton three goals in the second came in a span of three minutes and 10 seconds. Arnott made it 1-0 at 6:09 after he banged in a rebound the Vees’ second power play of the game. His team-leading 20th goal.
34 seconds later, Fisher scored his first of two in the period that put Penticton ahead 2-0 at 6:43. He then scored his second goal of the frame at 9:19 to stretch the lead to 3-0. Renfrew assisted on both of Fisher’s goals.
Arnott capped off the scoring in the third period, as he picked up his second goal of the game late in the third period, as he scored into the empty net at 16:13.
GAME STATS
Penticton 4 at Merritt 0
Shots: 41-22, Vees
Vees Scoring: James Fisher (2), Callum Arnott (2)
Vees Goaltending: Will Ingemann (W) 60:00 22/22
Power-Plays
Vees: 1/5
Centennials: 0/2
Three Stars:
1) James Fisher
2) Andrew Ballantyne
3) Will Ingemann
NEXT GAME: The Vees (27-7-2-2) return home to face the Prince George Spruce Kings (13-21-3-0) on Saturday, February 10th; puck drop is 6:00 pm.
