Penticton, BC: The Penticton Vees (34-14-3-2) are frustrated they didn’t pick up two points against the Trail Smoke Eaters Wednesday night, losing 3-2 in overtime, but it just puts more importance on the final meeting of the season against the Merritt Centennials (31-15-4-3) Friday night.
Wednesday the Vees led 1-0 through 40 minutes after a goal from David Silye in the final minute of the first period. James Miller sent a shot intentionally wide of the net which bounced off the end wall and came in front for Silye to score his 17th of the season.
Trail scored a similar goal just 20 seconds into the third period to tie the game before Lukas Sillinger restored Penticton’s lead with 2:46 to play.
The lead barely lasted, as off the ensuing face-off the Smoke Eaters got a 2-on-1 rush and tied the game just seven seconds after the Vees had taken the lead.
Once overtime began, the game was over just as quick. Massimo Rizzo and David Silye got tied up off the face-off, allowing Trail to skate in 3-on-1. A three-way passing play ended up with Carter Jones scoring the winner just nine seconds into overtime.
The game was one the Vees had in hand against Merritt and they now sit four points ahead with five games to play. Merritt has been off all week after wrapping up a three-game Island Division swing Sunday afternoon, losing 4-1 to Victoria.
The regulation loss was just the second one of 2019 for the Centennials who have posted a 8-2-3-2 record in the New Year to keep pace with the Vees who are 10-3-2 in 2019.
Penticton will look to continue the success they’ve had against Merritt this season as they’re 5-0 against them this season. After big wins in the first three meetings, the last two have gone to shootouts.
January 20 Cassidy Bowes tied the game with 41 seconds remaining before Jack Barnes got the game winner in the 10th round of the shootout as the Vees stunned the home team.
A win Friday wouldn’t mathematically clinch first for Penticton, but would give them a nearly insurmountable six-point lead with four games remaining.
Team Statistics
Leading Scorers
Penticton Vees
James Miller – 18G 41A 53GP
Eric Linell – 26G 29A 55GP
David Silye – 17G 37A 53GP
Merritt Centennials
Bradley Cocca – 21G 41A 53GP
Nic Granowicz – 28G 26A 53GP
Nicholas Wicks – 16G 38A 53GP
Special Teams
Penticton Vees
Power Play – 19.4 per cent (10th in BCHL)
Penalty Kill – 81.3 per cent (8th in BCHL)
Merritt Centennials
Power Play – 19.0 per cent (12th in BCHL)
Penalty Kill – 77.4 per cent (12th in BCHL)
Season Series
September 28, 2018 – Vees 6 @ Centennials 3 Boxscore
October 10, 2018 – Vees 6 vs Centennials 2 Boxscore
October 26, 2018 – Vees 6 @ Centennials 1 Boxscore
November 2, 2018 – Vees 4 vs Centennials 3 SO Boxscore
January 20, 2019 – Vees 2 @ Centennials 1 SO Boxscore
February 15, 2019 – Vees vs Centennials
