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Preview: Vees look for rebound in Salmon Arm

Penticton, BC: The Penticton Vees (24-12-1-2) couldn’t get the power play clicking Friday night against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (19-15-4-0), finishing 0-for-8, including two five-on-three power plays in the second period. They hope a change in personnel can give them the boost they need Sunday afternoon in the rematch.

A scoreless first period on Friday saw the Vees outshoot Salmon Arm 11-5, including a shot off the post from Massimo Rizzo.

The Vees had two 5-on-3 power play chances in the second period, but could only muster a single shot on goal between the two of them. Shortly after the second one expired, Salmon Arm took the lead as Wyatt Marlow knocked down a bouncing puck in front of the net and beat a screened Jack LaFontaine to open the scoring.

The lead lasted just 3:29 as Andre Ghantous made a nice move around a Silverbacks stick before firing a shot past the glove of Matthew Armitage to tie the game at one heading into the third period.

Both teams had a pair of power play opportunities in the third, but it wasn’t until late in the game another goal was scored. The Silverbacks made a three-way passing play after entering the Vees zone off the rush and Hudson Schandor deflected the puck past LaFontaine with 4:38 to play.

Penticton pulled the goalie for the extra attacker, but Salmon Arm would hit the empty net with six seconds to play to take the win.

The Vees had Saturday off from game action while the Silverbacks were back home to host the Surrey Eagles, blowing them out 6-2. Salmon Arm scored twice on the power play and once shorthanded in the victory.

Following the loss Friday and a pair of Merritt victories, the Vees have slipped to second in the Interior Division, on point behind the Centennials. Though they can quickly leapfrog Merritt with a victory Sunday.

Team Statistics

Leading Scorers

Penticton Vees

James Miller – 16G 30A 39GP

Eric Linell – 22G 22A 41GP

David Silye – 13G 29A 35GP

Salmon Arm Silverbacks

Matthew Verboon – 13G 16A 31GP

Noah Wakeford – 7G 20A 34GP

Hudson Schandor – 12G 14A 34GP

Special Teams

Penticton Vees

Power Play – 19.5 per cent (7th in BCHL)

Penalty Kill – 81.6 per cent (8th in BCHL)

Salmon Arm Silverbacks 

Power Play – 16.6 per cent (16th in BCHL)

Penalty Kill – 83.3 per cent (5th in BCHL)

Season Series

October 12, 2018 – Vees 2 @ Silverbacks 3 SO Boxscore

November 9, 2018 – Vees 4 vs Silverbacks 2 Boxscore 

January 4, 2019 – Vees 1 vs Silverbacks 3 Boxscore

January 6, 2019 – Vees @ Silverbacks

February 22, 2019 – Vees @ Silverbacks

February 23, 2019 – Vees vs Silverbacks