Photo credit: Cherie Morgan Photography
Vernon, BC: The Penticton Vees (5-4-0) took just three penalties in Friday’s 3-0 win over the Vernon Vipers (4-4-2), but Saturday Penticton found themselves in the box eight times, giving up two power play goals in a 2-1 loss.
The penalty trouble started early in the game as the Vees found themselves on a 5-on-3 penalty kill just over six minutes into the game.
After a high shot from Mitch Andreas caught Jack LaFontaine in the mask, Elan Bar-Lev-Wise jumped on the rebound for his first BCHL goal to give Vernon a lead on the 5-on-3 power play.
Mid way through the second period, Andreas got behind the Vees defence and carried the puck to the net. After he was stripped of the puck, he bowled over LaFontaine and was subsequently given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for goalie interference.
The Vees were unable to capitalize on the power play as it ended three and a half minutes in after a slashing call to Eric Linell.
Once the major had expired, the Vees tied the game shorthanded. Kenny Johnson took a feed from Andre Ghantous as the puck was rolling on edge up to the blue line. Johnson put his entire 225-pound frame into the shot and it fluttered over the glove of Aidan Porter to tie the game.
Penticton was called for three minor penalties over the final 20 minutes, and it was the third one that cost them. With Peter Muzyka in the box for roughing, Jack Judson’s wrist shot was deflected by Jesse Lansdell past LaFontaine to give Vernon a 2-1 lead with 8:21 to play.
Try as they might, the Vees weren’t able to solve Porter again as both teams finished with 26 shots.
Penticton now gets set to host the Merritt Centennials for the first Wicked Wednesday of the season.
