Photo: Damon James
NANAIMO, B.C.- Francesco Dell’Elce won’t forget his first BCHL goal anytime soon. The Penticton Vees’ defenceman scored the game-winner in, overtime, as Penticton came back down 3-1, to win 4-3 over the Clippers at Frank Crane Arena.
Dell’Elce scored the overtime goal deep into the 10-minute extra frame. The 17-year-old rookie defenceman capitalized on a Vees’ power play, as he hammered his point shot past everyone, including goaltender Tyler Hodges. Dell’Elce added an assist to his first star performance.
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Attila Lippai, James Fisher, and Brock Reinhart (shorthanded) also scored for the visitors. Andrew Ness secured his first win as a Vee, as the 19-year-old turned aside 27 of 30 shots in just shy of 69-minutes of work.
Penticton never led in Friday’s game and found themselves down a goal after 20 minutes. Lippai scored his first goal as a Vee in the opening frame, but that was bookended by two Nanaimo goals from Cole Lonsdale and Jack Edwards.
Edwards then scored his second of the game eight minutes into the second as Nanaimo went up by a pair. However, the Vees dug in and found a way to claw back.
Penticton rallied with two goals in four minutes to draw level late in the second. Fisher made it a one-goal game with his second of the season coming on a delayed penalty to Nanaimo at 10:36. Then it was Reinhart tying it with his shorthanded effort at 14:37, courtesy of a great setup by Thomas Pichette.
Both teams were held off the scoresheet in the final frame, as this game was destined for overtime. In the extra period, it was Dell’Elce scoring on a Vees’ power for his first goal in the BCHL and more importantly, the game-winner.
GAME STATS
Shots: 35-30, Vees
Vees Scoring: Attila Lippai, James Fisher, Brock Reinhart (SH), Francesco Dell’Elce
Power-Plays
Vees: 1/5
Clippers: 1/2
Three Stars:
- Francesco Dell’Elce (1G, 1A)
- Jack Edwards (2G)
- Isa Parekh (0G, 1A)
NEXT UP: The Vees (2-1-0-0) jump over to the Sunshine Coast Saturday, for a contest against the Powell River Kings (0-2-0-0); puck drop is 7:00 pm. Fans can listen to the game on Bounce 800 AM or watch on Flo Hockey TV.
