Photo: Cherie Morgan
PENTICTON, B.C. – The Penticton Vees had their seven game win streak come to an end on Saturday, losing 2-1 to Alberni Valley Bulldogs at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Penticton, who clinched their 12th consecutive Interior Conference regular season pennant Friday, saw their 14-game point streak come to an end, as the lost the rematch of the 2023 Fred Page Cup Final.
“I thought we did a great job defending. We had some chances, but the bounces didn’t go our way tonight, and that’s going to happen over the course of a season. They did a great job of keeping us to the outside. We have to give full marks to Alberni Valley and their goaltender Callum Tung,” said Vees’ Director of Hockey Operations Matt Miller post-game.
Saturday was the first BCHL start for goaltender and Penticton product Sharky Nowek. The 17-year-old was very sharp in the Vees’ crease, as he stopped 19 of 21 shots and was named the game’s third star.
“He had a great game. Alberni Valley had some good looks that he made some great saves on. He was solid all night with his positioning, and we’re not surprised. We see it every day in practice in how hard he works. It was great to give him a start but unfortunate we couldn’t find more offence for him,” commented Miller.
Anselmo Rego scored the Vees’ lone goal on Saturday, as Penticton suffered just their third loss at home this season and first regulation loss since January 26th.
Alberni Valley’s Callum Tung stopped 37 of 38 shots, including 20 of 21 in the second period, and was named first star. Lenny Greenberg and Nicholas Beneteau scored for the visitors.
After a scoreless first period, the Bulldogs opened the scoring midway through the middle frame. Greenberg snuck down from the blueline and squeezed his shot underneath the glove of Nowek at 11:40 to put the visitors up 1-0.
Penticton equalized inside the final two minutes of the second, as Rego made it 1-1 at 18:44 on a great setup by James Fisher. Fisher out waited the defenceman and dished put out front for Rego who buried into the open net for his 10th.
The Bulldogs went ahead 2-1 just half a minute into the third period. Nicholas Beneteau scored 29 seconds into the frame after redirecting Braden Blace’s point shot past Nowek as he cut across the front of the net. Beneteau’s 16th stood up to be the game-winner.
GAME NOTES
With his assist Saturday, Billy Renfrew extended his point streak to seven games. Renfrew has 13 points in his last seven. Anselmo Rego has scored in two of his last three games. The Vees finish with 7-2-0-1 record against the Coastal Conference this season.
GAME STATS
Shots: 38-21, Vees
Vees Scoring: Rego (10)
Vees Goaltending: Sharky Nowek (L) 58:33 19/21
Power-Plays
Vees: 0/1
Bulldogs: 0/3
Three Stars:
1) Callum Tung
2) Anselmo Rego
3) Sharky Nowek
NEXT GAME: The Vees (37-8-3-2) face-off against the Merritt Centennials at the SOEC on Friday, March 22nd.
