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MCMURPHY PROVIDES THE OVERTIME HEROICS

Kyle McMurphy?s goal just 46 seconds into the first sudden death overtime period lifted the Penticton Valley First Vees to a 6-5 victory over the Westside Warriors and a Two Games to Nothing lead in the Best-of-Seven Interior Conference Final. 

 

The high scoring, see-saw affair was tied 2-2 after two and 4-4 following 40 minutes of play.

 

McMurphy?s first of the contest, a shorthand tallied 8:08 into the third period, looked for quite a while as though it may stand up as the game winner.  However, the Warriors evened things with only 6:52 left in regulation time. 

 

Brett Hextall potted two goals for Penticton as well, with Cory Schneider and Eric Kroshus adding singles.  McMurphy also contributed a pair of assists, giving him a four point night.  Westside?s Chris Zaires had two goals and teammate Clinton Pettapiece three helpers in a losing cause.

 

Special teams were huge in this one as the Valley First Vees had three powerplay markers, in addition to McMurphy?s shorthanded effort.  Meantime, the Warriors counted twice with the man advantage. 

 

Despite being beaten five times, Alex Evin recorded the victory in the Penticton net, stopping 25 of 30 shots.

 

Oddly enough, the teams traded goals in every period, except of course for overtime.  In addition, the shots were even at 30 apiece at the end of regulation.  The Valley First Vees had the only three shots of sudden death, but for the second consecutive night, were badly outplayed in the third period, outshot 12-5 this time around.

 

The Penticton Valley First Vees will be looking to all but bury the Warriors in Game Three, scheduled for Tuesday night at 7:00 in Westside.  Game Four is also at Royal LePage Place on Wednesday night, beginning at 7:00.      

 

SATURDAY NIGHT vs. WESTSIDE

 

FINAL SCORE: PENTICTON – 6, WESTSIDE – 5 (OVERTIME)

 

Westside      2     2     1     0     =     5          

Penticton     2     2     1     1     =     6