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Preview: Vees look to clinch first in regular season finale

Photo Credit: Pure Life Photography

Penticton, BC: The Penticton Vees (36-16-3-2) have a chance to lock up an eighth straight Interior Division pennant against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (27-25-4-1) Saturday night. The regular season finale goes 5:00 at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

Friday the Vees trailed 2-1 after 40 minutes of play in Salmon Arm after power-play goals against early in the second and in the final minute of the period.

As they’ve done time and time again this season, the Vees raised their game over the final 20 minutes and scored four unanswered goals to pick up a 5-2 win and stay first in the division.

David Silye led the way with two goals and an assist while Lukas Sillinger picked up three helpers as the Vees used the man advantage to tie the game just 2:02 into the third.

Ryan Sandelin scored his team-leading 30th goal of the year to give Penticton a 3-2 lead 6:10 into the third. It was his league-leading 15th power-play goal of the season.

Jack Barnes got the insurance marker with just 1:47 to play before Silye iced the game with the empty net. After giving up the late power-play goal in the second, Jack LaFontaine was air tight the rest of the way turning aside 14 shots in the third and 34 overall for his 29th win of the season.

WIth a win Saturday the Vees would clinch the number one seed in the Interior Division. If they don’t pick up the weekend sweep, they can still win the division if Merritt losses in regulation to the Vernon Vipers as Penticton holds all tie breakers in the standings.

Penticton will finally know who they’ll be hosting in round one of the Fred Page Cup playoffs after the game. After West Kelowna’s win against Trail last night, the Vees would either play the Cowichan Valley Capitals if they finish in first, or the Trail Smoke Eaters if they finish second.

After the game Saturday the Vees will hand out their annual team awards on the ice. Fans are encouraged to stay after the final whistle and show their support as various players are recognized for their efforts this season.

Team Statistics

Leading Scorers

Penticton Vees

James Miller – 18G 44A 57GP

David Silye – 20G 39A 52GP

Eric Linell – 26G 30A 59GP

Salmon Arm Silverbacks

Matthew Verboon – 28G 28A 49GP

Nick Unruh – 23G 18A 56GP

Trevor Adams – 17G 24A 54GP

Special Teams

Penticton Vees

Power Play – 20.2 per cent (9th in BCHL)

Penalty Kill – 81.8 per cent (5th in BCHL)

Salmon Arm Silverbacks

Power Play – 22.0 per cent (6th in BCHL)

Penalty Kill – 81.5 per cent (7th 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 5 @ Silverbacks 3 Boxscore

February 22, 2019 – Vees 5 @ Silverbacks 2 Boxscore

February 23, 2019 – Vees vs Silverbacks