Photo: Vicki Brown
PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – Conyr Hellyer scored eight minutes into double overtime, as the Penticton Vees came back to beat the Prince George Spruce Kings 3-2 in Game Three of their Interior Division Quarterfinal, Tuesday at Kopar Memorial Arena.
The Vees now lead the best-of-seven series 3-0, with Game Four on Wednesday, April 10th, at 7:00 pm.
Hellyer’s overtime goal capped off a game that had four lead changes. His game-winner deflected off a Spruce King stick and up and over the shoulder of Prince George netminder Ryder Green.
Assistant Coach Matthew Vanden Berg Post-Game
“I think tonight’s result speaks to the maturity of our group. It wasn’t an easy game to play at all. We generated a lot of good looks throughout the night, and it would have been easy for our guys to get frustrated when they weren’t finishing but they stuck to it. If anything, this win speaks to the character of our team,” commented Assistant Coach Matthew Vanden Berg post-game.
Simon Meier and Anselmo Rego scored the Vees two goals in regulation. Meier opened the scoring in the first period, as he scored his second goal in as many games to put Penticton up 1-0 just before the four minute mark. With the Vees trailing 2-1 in the third, Rego scored his second goal of the series that tied the game 2-2 at 6:45 and eventually forced overtime.
Will Ingemann stopped 30 of 32 as he improved to 2-0 in the BCHL Playoffs. Ingemann has stopped 50 52 shots he has faced through two games.
Prince George’s Linden Makow scored their first goal of the series three minutes into the second period on a power play that tied the game 1-1. That after being shutout in the first seven periods of the series. Scott Cousins then gave them their first lead when he was credited with his first playoff goal 1:24 into the third period. His dump in from centre ice slid in off Ingemann’s pad and trickled into the net between the goalie’s pad and the post.
The Spruce Kings’ Ryan Sanborn made his first start of the series as he stopped 33 of 35 shots through regulation and half of the first overtime period. Sanborn had to leave the game due to injury in overtime and 17-year-old affiliate Ryder Green finished the game. Green, who played this season with the local Cariboo Cougars Under-18 team, stopped 15 of 16 shots in 18 minutes of work.
The game had its fair share of controversial moments. Prince George was briefly awarded a goal in the first period but that was waved off after a conference by the four officials. The net had tipped forward after being jarred by Vees’ defender, which allowed puck to slide underneath before the net slammed back down.
In the third period, the Vees thought they had scored to make it 3-2 with just minutes remaining after Callum Arnott jammed the puck past the goaltender at the side of the net. The four officials once again huddled but they deemed it never had crossed the line.
GAME NOTES
Defenceman Daniel Buchbinder sustained an upper body injury in the first period and did not return. The Vees shutout streak against Prince George to start the series last 143:42. Conyr Hellyer’s overtime goal was his first goal since March 9th, against the Merritt Centennials. Including the regular season, the Vees now won seven-straight road games dating back to February 24th.
GAME STATS
Shots: 51-32, Vees
Vees Scoring: Simon Meier (2nd), Anselmo Rego (2nd), Conyr Hellyer (1st)
Vees Goaltending: Will Ingemann (W) 88:19 30/32
Power-Plays
Vees: 0/2
Spruce Kings: 1/3
Next Game: The Vees look to advance to Round Two with a win in Game Four against the Spruce Kings on Wednesday, April 10th, at Kopar Memorial Arena; face-off is 7:00 pm.
