Photo: Jack Murray
The Penticton Vees swept their Thanksgiving weekend home stand, after a hard-fought 3-1 victory over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, Saturday at the SOEC.
The win extends the Vees season-opening win streak to six games, as they sit atop of the Interior Conference.
Captain Frank Djurasevic scored the game-winning goal late in the third period, breaking a 1-1 tie. Djurasevic finished with two points (1G, 1A) and was named the first star. Thomas Pichette opened the scoring in the first period. Ethan Mann scored into an empty net. Luca Di Pasquo earned his fifth win in five starts, as the 19-year-old stopped 20 of 21 shots in the Vees’ crease.
Nathan Morin scored the Silverbacks’ lone goal in the first period. Silverbacks’ goaltender Matthew Tovell was excellent, as the 20-year-old stopped 48 of 50 shots. Tovell was the second star.
Pichette opened the scoring six and half minutes into the first period on the Vees’ first power play of the game. Pichette banged in the loose puck from the top of crease and the puck trickled underneath Tovell and across the line.
The celebration was short lived, as the Silverbacks replied just 12 seconds later. Morin replied for Salmon Arm, scoring on a rebound on the very next shift.
The scored remained deadlocked 1-1 until the back half of the third period. Djurasevic scored the game winner at 12:55 of the final frame when his shot from the face-off circle went off a Silverback defender and fluttered into the net. Djurasevic credited with second goal of the season.
Ethan Mann sealed the win with an empty net goal at 18:51 of the third. Mann pounced on the puck after it bounced over the defenceman’s stick, allowing Mann to skate in alone.
GAME NOTES
Bradly and Josh Nadeau sit first and second in BCHL scoring after Saturday’s win. Bradly has 12 points and older brother Josh has 11. Di Pasquo is now 5-0-0-0 and sports a 1.40 goals-against average and .926 save percentage. Penticton improved to 2-0-0-0 against the Silverbacks this season.
GAME STATS
Final Score: 3-1, Vees
Vees Scoring: Pichette, Djurasevic
Shots: 51-21, Vees
Vees PP: 1/4
Vees PK: 1/1
Three Stars
1) Frank Djurasevic
2) Matthew Tovell
3)Thomas Pichette
Attendance: 2,748
Next Game: Penticton (6-0-0-0) returns to action next Friday, October 14th, on the road against the Merritt Centennials (2-4-0-0). Fans can follow the game on Bounce 800 AM and Hockey TV.
