The Penticton Valley First Vees scored three goals before the game was less than five and-a-half minutes old in cruising to a 7-2 victory over the Vernon Vipers, Friday night at the Memorial Arena. The win gives the Valley First Vees a 1-0 advantage in their Best-of-Seven Interior Conference Semi-Final Playoff Series.
Seven different players counted markers for Penticton, who held a commanding 4-0 lead after 20 minutes. Just 36 seconds into the second period, the Valley First Vees made it 5-0. However, the Vipers rallied to make it 5-2, before Penticton tallied two more unanswered third period markers in posting the convincing decision.
The Valley First Vees got goals from Nathan Westover, Brett Hextall, Michael Hengen, Denver Manderson, Austin Smith, Anthony Perdicaro and Cory Schneider. Hextall?s and Hengen?s were on the powerplay, with Schneider?s coming late in the game while shorthanded. Zac Dalpe and Denver Manderson also added two assists apiece.
Penticton went two for six with the man advantage and was a perfect six for six on the penalty kill.
The Valley First Vees outshot Vernon 38-20 overall, chasing Vipers? starting netminder Lucas Gore from the game at the 13:21 mark of the first period after jumping ahead 4-0.
Alex Evin earned the victory in the Penticton net, stopping 18 of 20 shots.
A close to two week lay off certainly didn?t hurt the Penticton Valley First Vees, who hope to take a two nothing series lead with a victory in Game Two, set for Saturday night at 7:00 at the Memorial Arena.
FRIDAY NIGHT vs. VERNON
FINAL SCORE: PENTICTON – 7, VERNON – 2
Vernon 0 2 0 = 2
Penticton 4 1 2 = 7
Goals
Vernon: Rob Short – 1 (2), Scott Zurevinski – 1 (3)
Penticton: Nathan Westover
