The Penticton Vees (49-7-1-0) wrap up their regular season tonight at the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm against the Silverbacks (29-19-4-5) at 7 pm. Both teams are coming off losses Friday, the Vees losing 5-3 in Merritt and the Silverbacks losing 6-1 in West Kelowna.
Tonight is the seventh and final meeting between the two divisional foes and you can argue it’s a “game seven,” as the season series is tied at three games apiece. The Vees went into Salmon Arm last Friday and scored a 3-2 win over the ‘Backs, their first win in Salmon Arm this season.
Merritt snapped the Vees’ 10-game win streak last night and once again, in dramatic fashion. With the Vees up 3-0 in the third, Merritt scored five goals in just over 11-minutes down the stretch to stun the Vees in regulation. It was just under a month ago the Cents’ snapped the Vees’ seven-game win streak with another third period rally in Merritt; déjà vu for Penticton.
The Vees still have a shot at 50-wins tonight and would only be the fifth team in BCHL history reach the exclusive mark. Only the 1989-90 New Westminster Royals, 1998-99 & 2009-10 Vernon Vipers and 2011-12 Penticton Vees have won 50-games in a season. All four of those teams went on to play in the RBC Cup Final and three of the four went on to win the national championship.
One thing is certain about this year’s squad is they know how to bounce back after a disappointing result. The Vees have yet to drop back-to-back games all season and are 6-0 coming off a loss, outscoring their opponents 30-11 in those six games. The Vees are also a staggering 20-1-1-0 in the second half of back-to-back games; they should be in good shape tonight.
Zach Driscoll will get the start tonight, his fourth against the Silverbacks and is 20-4 on the year with a 1.94 goals-against average, to go along with a .931 save percentage. Gabe Bast will draw back into the line-up after sitting out on Friday and Demico Hannoun and Darius Davidson will sit out once again tonight. Colton Poolman also won’t play tonight so the Vees will be dressing 11 forwards and seven defencemen.
Salmon Arm has been up and down over the last month, as they’re 4-4-0-2 in their last 10 games and have lost five in a row, four in regulation. However, the ‘Backs are 2-1 at home against the Vees this season and they too will be looking to bounce-back tonight after a disappointing result in West Kelowna one night ago.
Fans, don’t forget to get your playoff tickets for next Friday! Game one of the Interior Division Final goes Friday, March 4th, at 7 pm at the SOEC. The Vees are still waiting to see who they play but make sure you “Paint the Town Blue!” Show your Vees pride by wearing blue to every Vees’ playoff home game. The team will be handing out blue shirts at their games next week.
