FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
WednesdayDecember 8th
MCCAULEY SHINESIN DEBUT WIN OVER MILLS
PENTICTON, BC ?The Penticton Vees will look for their fourth consecutive win when Salmon Armvisits on Friday following a 4-1 triumph over the Quesnel Millionaires.
The Vees have added a new weapon upfrong just in time forthe the Christmas Charity Challenge game. Officially joining the Vees roster onWednesday afternoon, Myles McCauley provided instant dividends for the Vees,when he converted two great set-ups from line-mates Mark MacMillan and BrendanO?Donnell in the first period.
McCauley ? 19-years-old ? has spent the past three seasonsin the OHL, scoring 22 goals in 66 games last season, splitting time betweenthe Plymouth Whalers and Sault St. Marie Greyhounds.
The Millionaires scored their lone goal just 1:16 into thegame on a power play, when a Skyler Smutek point-shot was stopped by JoelRumpel, but Rigby Bergart swept in the rebound; his forth of the season openedthe scoring.
The Vees wouldn?t waste anytime getting back into the game, as Joey Benikrammed in a rebound for on a Troy Stecher shot at the side of the net at 4:40.Benik now has sixteen goals on the season, which is good for a share of theteam lead with defender Joey LaLeggia.
A minute and three seconds later, Mark MacMillan scored his thirteenthgoal in just his seventeenth game as a member of the Vees. The goal came off a nice dish fromBrendan O?Donnell to make it 2-1 for the home side. MacMillan has now scored innine of the last ten games.
The Vees would get their third goal in less than a minuteand a half, when the top line struck again, and McCauley scored his first oftwo on the night. O?Donnell and MacMillan would draw assists on the goal.
The Vees newest member would score again on a Vees powerplay, converting a pass from the side of the net from MacMillan, and the Veesled 4-1 at the 12:22 mark of the first.
After a hectic pace early, there would be no more scoring onthis night as Penticton product Adam Harris settled down in the Quesnel net.Harris absorbed the loss allowing four goals on 30 shots.
Joey LaLeggia would finish with a pair of assists, as wouldBrendan O?Donnell. Mark MacMillan led all scorers with a goal and two helpers.
Joel Rumpel won his third straight game making 26 saves, andallowing just the lone power play goal against. Rumpel has allowed just fourgoals in his last three games.
The Vees power play finished the night scoring once on twoopportunities, while the Mills made good on one of their three opportunities.
With the win the Vees open their lead in the InteriorConference to four points over the second place Vernon Vipers. Salmon Arm sitsfive back of the Vees, and hold two games in hand. Speaking of the Silverbacks?
Next Vees action comes when the Christmas Charity Challengesees Salmon Arm visit on Friday. Community-minded individuals, groups, andbusinesses have pledged over $34,000 to local charities and all the money willbe given away if 4,000 Vees fans show up for the game.
Tickets to the Christmas Charity Challenge are 2-for-1 witha donation of a non-perishable food item to the Salvation Army at the SOEC boxoffice. A pair of Carrie Underwood tickets will be given away, concessions willhave specials on food and beverages, and fans are reminded to purchase tickets wellin advance of the Friday night 7:00 start, when large lines are anticipated.
Vees game tickets can be purchased at the box office duringbusiness hours, at London Drugs, or online at ValleyFirstTix.com.
