Penticton, BC: The Penticton Vees (12-6-1-2) had their season ended by the Trail Smoke Eaters (8-10-3-2) last year, now the two will meet at the South Okanagan Events Centre for the first time since game seven of last season.
Friday night the Vees shook off a bad opening period, in which they were outshot 12-3, and picked up a 4-2 win over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. The victory gave the Vees back to back wins for the first time since September 29 and October 5.
James Miller opened the scoring on the power play in the second period before Ryan Sandelin added a pair in the third. Eric Linell would hit the empty net to seal the win. Jack LaFontaine finished with 24 saves in net, and his play was the only reason the Vees weren’t down after the first as he made a number of breakaway stops.
The Smoke Eaters have had a tough opening 23 games of the season. While they sit just eight points out of first place, the team has lost nine of their last 10 games following a shootout loss on home ice to the Coquitlam Express Friday night.
Trail is having a tough time keeping the puck out of their net as they have allowed 85 goals on the season, third most in the BCHL ahead of only Cowichan (86) and Surrey (105).
One of the bigger bright spots for the Smoke Eaters this season has been the play for forward Kent Johnson. Just 16-years-old, Johnson has nine goals and 10 assists on the season, giving him a five-point cushion over the next highest scoring 16 year old, Ethan Bowen of Chilliwack.
Seven players remain on Trail’s roster that played in the gruelling seven-game series last season, including goaltender Adam Marcoux. Penticton’s roster also includes seven regulars from that series, though only six will play Saturday as Lukas Sillinger recovers from an injury.
There will be a donation box set up at the top of the stairs to the main entrance of the South Okanagan Events Centre during the game, for anyone who wants to donate cash towards Cassidy Bowes’ GoFundMe. He has raised $3,224 of his $9,292 goal.
Team Statistics
Leading Scorers
Penticton Vees
Eric Linell – 13G 15A 23 GP
David Silye – 7G 19A 21GP
James Miller – 11G 13A 21GP
Trail Smoke Eaters
Braeden Tuck – 9G 12A 23GP
Kent Johnson – 9G 10A 23GP
Carter Jones – 6G 13A 23GP
Special Teams
Penticton Vees
Power Play – 19.6 per cent (7th in BCHL)
Penalty Kill – 82.7 per cent (8th in BCHL)
Trail Smoke Eaters
Power Play – 21.8 per cent (1st in BCHL)
Penalty Kill – 75.9 per cent (16th in BCHL)
Season Series
November 10, 2018 – Vees vs Smoke Eaters
November 30, 2018 – Vees @ Smoke Eaters
December 1, 2018 – Vees vs Smoke Eaters
December 14, 2018 – Vees vs Smoke Eaters
December 15, 2018 – Vees @ Smoke Eaters
February 13, 2018 – Vees @ Smoke Eaters
