Penticton, BC: The Penticton Vees (29-12-1-2) have won five straight games and look to push that streak to six in a big Interior Division showdown Sunday night in Merritt against the Centennials (26-13-3-1).
Friday the Vees won in a shootout for the second time in as many games, 3-2 over the Prince George Spruce Kings. An excellent opening period had the Vees up 2-0 on goals from Jack Lagerstrom and Ty Pochipinski.
The second period was a much different story. The Vees were outshot 18-7, took three penalties and gave up a goal. With one second on the clock, Patrick Cozzi came down the right wing in the Vees zone and lifted a shot over the glove of Jack LaFontaine to make it 2-1 after two.
The Vees were perhaps lucky to still be ahead at that point, but the lead didn’t last long as Chong Min Lee scored 3:27 into the third to tie the game.
LaFontaine was air tight the rest of the game, finishing with 35 saves through 65 minutes before stopping all three Prince George shooters in the shootout as Luke Loheit’s goal stood up as the winner in front of 3,256 fans.
The Centennials have been off since Thursday night when they hosted the Chilliwack Chiefs. Leading by a single goal late in the game, Merritt gave up the tying goal with 38 seconds left before Joey Berkopec accidentally redirected the puck into his own net in overtime as Merritt fell 4-3.
The Vees have had their way with Merritt so far this season to the tune of a 4-0 record. Penticton has outscored the Centennials 22-9. Vees defenceman James Miller in particular has enjoyed playing Merritt this year with five goals and four assists in the four victories.
The game could have huge implications in the Interior Division with Penticton sitting five points ahead of Merritt heading into the game.
The game also kicks off a stretch of four straight on the road, as the Vees head to the Island Division next weekend for games in Powell River, Port Alberni and Nanaimo.
Team Statistics
Leading Scorers
Penticton Vees
James Miller – 18G 34A 44GP
Eric Linell – 25G 26A 46GP
David Silye – 13G 31A 40GP
Merritt Centennials
Bradley Cocca – 16G 36A 43GP
Nick Granowicz – 25G 23A 43GP
Nicholas Wicks – 13G 31A 43GP
Special Teams
Penticton Vees
Power Play – 19.6 per cent (8th in BCHL)
Penalty Kill – 81.2 per cent (9th in BCHL)
Merritt Centennials
Power Play – 18.3 per cent (15th in BCHL)
Penalty Kill – 75.5 per cent (15th in BCHL)
Season Series
September 28, 2018 – Vees 6 @ Centennials 3 Boxscore
October 10, 2018 – Vees 6 vs Centennials 2 Boxscore
October 26, 2018 – Vees 6 @ Centennials 1 Boxscore
November 2, 2018 – Vees 4 vs Centennials 3 SO Boxscore
January 20, 2019 – Vees @ Centennials
February 15, 2019 – Vees vs Centennials
