Victoria, BC: The Penticton Vees (1-1-0) picked up their first win of 2018-19 Friday night against Cowichan, now they look to head home with two wins tonight against the Victoria Grizzlies (1-1-0).
The first goal of Friday’s game came just 26 seconds into the second period as Drew Elser found the back of the net for the first time in his BCHL career with a snapshot from the left circle.
Ryan Sandelin extended the Vees lead with a power-play goal just over eight minutes later, before the Capitals answered back shortly after.
Elser saw a centring feed deflect off his leg and into the net with just 17.5 seconds remaining in the second to give the Vees a 3-1 lead heading into the third.
David Silye scored for the first time as a Penticton Vee 2:12 into the third before Cowichan added a late power-play goal for the 4-2 final score. Jack LaFontaine finished with 18 saves in net.
The Grizzlies were also in action Friday, pounding the Alberni Valley Bulldogs 5-1. Alexander Campbell led the way for Victoria by recording a hat trick, while the Bulldogs couldn’t stay out of the penalty box with 10 minor penalties. Victoria finished 2 for 10 on the man advantage.
The win was the first of the year for the Grizzlies after they watched a 3-0 lead in Powell River evaporate, allowing five unanswered goals in a 5-3 loss September 8.
Last season the Vees split the season series with Victoria, winning 4-2 at home before dropping a 6-3 game at the Q Centre.
There will be a pre-game ceremony for tonight’s game as the Grizzlies retire the jersey numbers of Jamie and Jordie Benn, who both spent time with the Grizzlies franchise in the past.
Team Statistics
Leading Scorers
Penticton Vees
David Silye – 1G 4A 5P
Drew Elser – 2G 0A 2P
Ryan Sandelin – 1G 1A 2P
Victoria Grizzlies
Alexander Campbell – 3G 0A 3P
Marty Westhaver – 1G 2A 3P
Charlie Campbell – 0G 3A 3P
Special Teams
Penticton Vees
Power play – 9.1 per cent
Penalty kill – 70.0 per cent
Victoria Grizzlies
Power play – 20.0 per cent
Penalty kill – 90.9 per cent
Season Series
September 15, 2018 – Vees @ Grizzlies
November 17, 2018 – Vees vs Grizzlies
