Penticton, BC: The Penticton Vees (25-12-1-2) are set to host the Powell River Kings (24-14-1-0) in the first of a rare weekend which features two games at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
The Vees were on the road Sunday afternoon, coming home with a 5-3 win over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. Three goals in 4:19 to start the third period was the difference for Penticton as they rebounded following a frustrating 3-1 loss to Salmon Arm at home last Friday.
The win had temporarily put the Vees back into first place in the Interior Division, but Merritt’s overtime win in Coquitlam Wednesday night puts the Vees back of top spot by a single point.
Powell River comes to Penticton on the heels of a three-game winning streak, including a 3-2 win over Wenatchee last Friday night. The Kings were also in action Sunday, going 4-for-6 on the power play as they took down the Cowichan Valley Capitals 6-2.
The power play has been a huge part of the Kings success this season as they sit atop the BCHL at a daunting 26.2 per cent connection rate. Their 49 power-play goals also paces the league.
As they are a non-divisional opponent, the Vees only host the Kings once each season. Last year was the first time Powell River had ever won a game in the SOEC since the building opened in 2008.
The Vees went 2-for-8 on the power play thanks to goals from Jonny Tychonick and Jackson Keane, but a shorthanded goal in the second period by defenceman Andy Stevens proved to be the game winner as the Vees lost 4-2.
Two weeks from today it will be the Vees turn to be the road team in this season series as Penticton will begin a three-game Island Division road trip in Powell River.
Team Statistics
Leading Scorers
Penticton Vees
James Miller – 17G 20A 40GP
Eric Linell – 22G 23A 42GP
David Silye – 13G 29A 36GP
Powell River Kings
Ryan Brushett – 28G 27A 38GP
Levi Glasman – 13G 29A 40GP
Neal Samanski – 8G 24A 34GP
Special Teams
Penticton Vees
Power Play – 19.2 per cent (9th in BCHL)
Penalty Kill – 80.6 per cent (9th in BCHL)
Powell River Kings
Power Play – 26.2 per cent (1st in BCHL)
Penalty Kill – 83.3 per cent (5th in BCHL)
Season Series
January 11, 2019 – Vees vs Kings
January 25, 2019 – Vees @ Kings
