Penticton, BC: The Penticton Vees (26-12-1-2) dominated offensively over the final 40 minutes Friday night, vaulting them to a 5-3 win over the Powell River Kings. Another Island Division opponent now descends upon the SOEC as the Nanaimo Clippers (22-18-0-0), winners of 10-straight games, make their lone appearance in the South Okanagan.
Friday the Vees used their power play to their advantage, scoring three times while up a man. The first came just 1:27 into the game as Eric Linell defected a James Miller slap shot.
After Powell River tied it, Miller added a power-play tally of his own as his wrist shot from the blue line sailed past all traffic in front and beat a screened Mitch Adamyk. The Kings would tie the game in the final minute of the period to make it 2-2 after two.
While the score remained close through the final 40 minutes, the offensive chances were heavily in Penticton’s favour as the shots in the last 40 minutes ended 32-10 in favour of the Vees.
Luke Loheit scored his first of two on the night by knocking a rebound out of mid air off another Miller point shot. After the Kings tied the game midway through the period, Loheit went end to end for his second of the game.
Peter Muzyka made his presence known in the middle frame as he threw three huge hits on Levi Glasman, Ethan Schmunk and Matthew Byrne, all on the left wing wall at the Penticton blue line.
Adamyk was penalized for roughing as he punched Brendan Harrogate in the face in the final minute of the second and it led to another power-play goal. Linell deflected in another Miller shot just 48 seconds into the period.
The win put the Vees back into first place in the Interior Division, now tied with the Merritt Centennials after their overtime loss last night. The Vees have one game in hand, hence their current first-place position.
The Clippers began a three-game road trip at Cominco Arena in Trail last night, winning 4-3 in overtime. Ethan Scardina capped off his hat trick with the winner.
Three former Vees are on Nanaimo’s roster, and all factored into the win last night. Marcus Mitchell, the Clippers captain, scored his 13th of the year with an assist to Devon Mussio. Sammy Steele also picked up an assist in the game.
During the 10-game streak, the Clippers have outscored their opponents 44-24. Last season the Clippers spoiled the Vees Teddy Bear Toss night, winning 4-2 December 16. Penticton had won the first meeting of the season, 2-1 December 1 in Nanaimo.
Team Statistics
Leading Scorers
Penticton Vees
James Miller – 18G 33A 41GP
Eric Linell – 24G 24A 43GP
David Silye – 13G 30A 37GP
Nanaimo Clippers
Ethan Scardina – 22G 20A 40GP
Tyler Williams – 11G 19A 35GP
Marcus Mitchell – 13G 16A 25GP
Special Teams
Penticton Vees
Power Play – 19.9 per cent (8th in BCHL)
Penalty Kill – 80.6 per cent (9th in BCHL)
Nanaimo Clippers
Power Play: 18.2 per cent (14th in BCHL)
Penalty Kill: 75.7 per cent (16th in BCHL)
Season Series
January 12, 2019 – Vees vs Clippers
January 27, 2019 – Vees @ Clippers
