Penticton, BC: The Penticton Vees (11-6-1-2) have gotten five of a possible six points in their last three games, coming from behind in the third period to tie each one. Unfortunately for the Vees their opponent Friday, the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (12-7-1-0), have won four straight putting each team at 25 points in the tightly-contested Interior Division.
Wednesday in Vernon, Ryan Sandelin’s power-play goal with 5:37 to play sent the Vees into overtime against the Vipers. James Miller tallied with a power-play goal of his own early in the second period, his 10th goal of the season.
After Vipers defenceman Mitch Andres was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for boarding Brendan Harrogate, the Vees started overtime on a 4-on-3 power play. It took just 32 seconds for Eric Linell to wire home the game winner, capping off a three-point performance for himself.
The Silverbacks, as mentioned, have been on a roll lately by winning their last four games. After regulation wins at home against Trail and Prince George October 27 and 28, the Silverbacks went into Kal Tire Place and took down the Vipers 4-3 in a shootout.
Salmon Arm tied the game with just 10 seconds left in regulation before going 2-for-2 in the shootout to get the win. The victory was Salmon Arm’s first road win of the season in their seventh game away from the Shaw Centre.
The win may have given Salmon Arm some confidence on the road as they went to Prospera Centre in Chilliwack three days later and took down the Chiefs 4-3.
The Vees have played Salmon Arm just once so far this season, a 3-2 shootout loss October 12. That night the Vees outshot the Silverbacks by a hefty 41-27 margin, but Ethan Langenegger turned in a stellar performance before the Silverbacks went 3-for-3 in the shootout. Ryan Sandelin and Jack Lagerstrom provided the offence for Penticton. The Vees only dressed 15 players that night due to injuries.
Friday’s game kicks off parents weekend for the Vees. Numerous parents of Vees players are in the South Okanagan to attend the weekend games.
Team Statistics
Leading Scorers
Penticton Vees
Eric Linell – 12G 14A 22GP
David Silye – 7G 19A 20GP
James Miller – 10G 12A 20GP
Salmon Arm Silverbacks
Matthew Verboon – 9G 10A 20GP
Hudson Schandor – 7G 9A 20GP
Trevor Adams – 9G 6A 20GP
Special Teams
Penticton Vees
Power Play – 18.9 per cent (8th in BCHL)
Penalty Kill – 82.3 per cent (8th in BCHL)
Salmon Arm Silverbacks
Power Play – 19.8 per cent (7th in BCHL)
Penalty Kill – 83.6 per cent (7th in BCHL)
Season Series
October 12, 2018 – Vees 2 @ Silverbacks 3 SO Boxscore
November 9, 2018 – Vees vs Silverbacks
January 4, 2019 – Vees vs Silverbacks
January 6, 2019 – Vees @ Silverbacks
February 22, 2019 – Vees @ Silverbacks
February 23, 2019 – Vees vs Silverbacks
