Penticton, BC: The Penticton Vees jumped out to a 1-0 series lead against the Coquitlam Express with a 2-1 win Friday night, but will have to find their offence in game two.
Thirty-nine shots towards Brock Hamm was only enough to get two past the Express net minder who turned in an impressive performance, keeping his team within striking distance all night long.
Jonny Tychonick gave Penticton a lead when his wrist shot from the slot bounced off a body and past Hamm 5:40 into the opening frame. The Vees would outshoot Coquitlam 9-5 in the opening 20 minutes.
In the opening minute of the second, Adam Scheel came out of his crease to play a dump in by the Express but caught his signals crossed with Michael Campoli. The two players both swatted at the puck as it deflected in the air and was gathered by the Express.
William Lawrence threw it to the slot and Christian Sanda was able to fire it through the five hole of Scheel to even the game just 56 seconds into the period.
The Vees regained their lead a few minutes later as their depth forwards chipped in offensively. Jared Nash sidestepped two hits along the right wing boards before skating towards the goal line. Nash spotted Jack Barnes heading back door and sent the cross-crease feed to him as Barnes was able to shovel it in for his first of the playoffs.
The Express were given a great chance to tie the game as James Miller was handed a five-minute major penalty for checking from behind in the third period. Devon Mussio came in to defend his teammate after the hit, resulting in two minutes of four-on-four before a three minute Express power play.
Despite some lengthy zone time during the power play, the Express managed just one shot towards Scheel as the man advantage came to an end.
Coquitlam’s best chances to tie the game came in the final minute as they won three consecutive face-offs with the net empty. Scheel had to scramble to make saves after each face-off as the Express threw everything at the net trying to tie the game.
The biggest save came off Josh Wildauer as the puck rolled right to his stick in the slot off a face-off and he leaned into a slap shot that Scheel stopped with his shoulder before snagging the puck out of mid air to hold on for a whistle.
Final shots in the game read 39-19 Penticton as the Vees took a 1-0 series lead. The two teams matchup again Saturday at 6:00 for game two.
Team Statistics
Leading Scorers
Penticton Vees
Jack Barnes – 1 G 0 A 1 GP
Jonny Tychonick – 1 G 0 A 1 GP
Jared Nash – 0 G 1 A 1 GP
Coquitlam Express
Christian Sanada – 1 G 0 A 1 GP
William Lawrence – 0 G 1 A 1 GP
Special Teams
Penticton Vees
Power play – 0/2 (0.0%)
Penalty kill – 2/2 (100.0%)
Coquitlam Express
Power play – 0/2 (0.0%)
Penalty kill – 2/2 (100.0%)
Series Schedule
Game 1 – March 2 Vees 2 vs Express 1 Boxscore
Game 2 – March 3 Vees vs Express
Game 3 – March 6 Vees @ Express
Game 4 – March 7 Vees @ Express
Game 5 – March 9 Vees vs Express*
Game 6 – March 11 Vees @ Express*
Game 7 – March 12 Vees vs Express*
*If Necessary
