Arena: SOEC, Penticton
Game Time: 7pm
Radio: EZ Rock AM 800
Watch: Fasthockey Pay-Per-View
It’s Valentine’s Day but there will be no love in the air at the SOEC tonight, as the Penticton Vees (32-13-2-4) host their Okanangan Valley rival the Vernon Vipers (26-16-4-6) at the SOEC. This is the sixth of seven meetings between these two teams, with the finale set for next Saturday in Vernon.
The Vees have been off since last Saturday, when they shutout the Surrey Eagles 3-0 on the road. Hunter Miska made 29 saves in the win for his second shutout of the season and Nic Pierog, Jack Ramsey and Brad McClure each scored power-play goals.
The Vees have won three-in-a-row and look to match their second-longest win streak of the season with a victory tonight.
Vernon picked up a 7-3 win in Trail on Wednesday, powered by three goals in the opening minute of the game. Jared Wilson, Dexter Dancs and Colton Sparrow scored before the game was a minute old and Dancs and Wilson each finished with a pair of goals. 11 Vipers picked up at least a point in the win and seven finished with two or more points.
Plenty of incentives for the Vees heading into tonight’s match up with Vernon, as a single point clinches a playoff spot for the Vees and a win in regulation clinches at least second in the Interior Division. The Vees are eight points up on the Vipers heading into tonight’s game but do have a game in hand. The Vees have a slim one point lead on the West Kelowna Warriors for top spot in the division; the Warriors are hosting Victoria tonight.
A key to the Vees success of late? Not playing catch up. In their last three games, all wins, the Vees have not trailed for even one minute. They’ve led or at worst have been tied with their opponent in the last 180 minutes. The Vees are 25-0-1-2 when they lead after two periods this season.
At press time, there was no word on who starts in goal tonight but regardless of who it is, the Vees will be in very capable hands. Hunter Miska has won his last three starts and is 2-1-0 against the Vipers this season, while maintaining an impressive .928 save percentage. Olivier Mantha picked up the win when these two last played, but hasn’t started since January 31st, as he’s been battling an illness.
These two wrap up their season series Saturday, February 22nd back in Vernon.
It’s Valentine’s Day but there will be no love in the air at the SOEC tonight, as the Penticton Vees (32-13-2-4) host their Okanangan Valley rival the Vernon Vipers (26-16-4-6) at the SOEC. This is the sixth of seven meetings between these two teams, with the finale set for next Saturday in Vernon.
The Vees have been off since last Saturday, when they shutout the Surrey Eagles 3-0 on the road. Hunter Miska made 29 saves in the win for his second shutout of the season and Nic Pierog, Jack Ramsey and Brad McClure each scored power-play goals.
The Vees have won three-in-a-row and look to match their second-longest win streak of the season with a victory tonight.
Vernon picked up a 7-3 win in Trail on Wednesday, powered by three goals in the opening minute of the game. Jared Wilson, Dexter Dancs and Colton Sparrow scored before the game was a minute old and Dancs and Wilson each finished with a pair of goals. 11 Vipers picked up at least a point in the win and seven finished with two or more points.
Plenty of incentives for the Vees heading into tonight’s match up with Vernon, as a single point clinches a playoff spot for the Vees and a win in regulation clinches at least second in the Interior Division. The Vees are eight points up on the Vipers heading into tonight’s game but do have a game in hand. The Vees have a slim one point lead on the West Kelowna Warriors for top spot in the division; the Warriors are hosting Victoria tonight.
A key to the Vees success of late? Not playing catch up. In their last three games, all wins, the Vees have not trailed for even one minute. They’ve led or at worst have been tied with their opponent in the last 180 minutes. The Vees are 25-0-1-2 when they lead after two periods this season.
At press time, there was no word on who starts in goal tonight but regardless of who it is, the Vees will be in very capable hands. Hunter Miska has won his last three starts and is 2-1-0 against the Vipers this season, while maintaining an impressive .928 save percentage. Olivier Mantha picked up the win when these two last played, but hasn’t started since January 31st, as he’s been battling an illness.
These two wrap up their season series Saturday, February 22nd back in Vernon.
STAT PACK
Vees vs. Interior: 18-9-1-2
Vees Top 5 Scoring vs. Vernon:
Cody DePourcq 5-3-8
Max Coatta 4-1-5
Brett Beauvais 1-4-5
Brad McClure 2-2-4
Ben Dalpe 0-4-4
Goaltending vs. Vernon:
Hunter Miska 2-1-0 2.00 GAA .928 SV %
Olivier Mantha 2-0-0 2.81 GAA .898 SV %
Last Game: 3-0 win @ Surrey Feb 8th
Next Game: Saturday, Feb 15th vs. Victoria
Last 5: 3-2-0
Last 10: 5-4-0-1
