Photo: Cherie Morgan
PENTICTON, B.C. – The Penticton Vees have dropped back-to-back games for the first time since late December, after their 4-2 loss to the Trail Smoke Eaters at the South Okanagan Events Centre (SOEC).
Despite outshooting the Smoke Eaters 49-18, the Vees lost their second consecutive home game on Friday and have now lost three out of their last four at the SOEC. It wasn’t a lack of effort but more a lack of finish that plagued the Vees.
“We had all the chances in the world, but we couldn’t capitalize around the net. Going forward, we need to bear down, because this is what playoff hockey will be like,” commented Director of Hockey Operations, Matt Miller post-game.
Callum Arnott and Francesco Dell’Elce scored the Vees two goals, which came two minutes apart in the third period when the team was down 3-0.
Trail’s Teagan Kendrick was the game’s first star, as the Smokies’ goalie made 47 stops, including 17 in the third period for his first career win against Penticton.
The Smoke Eaters led 1-0 after 20 minutes on a power play goal by their top scorer Mathieu Cobetto-Roy. Trail then scored twice in the middle frame, as they led 3-0 after two periods.
Isaac Fecteau scored 20 seconds into the second to put the visitors up 2-0. His point shot deflected off a Vee and past Vees’ goaltender Will Ingemann. Max Potvin then scored with just five seconds left in the second to put Trail up 3-0 after 40 minutes.
Arnott’s team-leading 27th goal of the season came on the power play five and a half minutes into the third period to get the Penticton comeback started. Billy Renfrew set Arnott up with a cross-ice pass down low from the side of the Trail net.
Two minutes later, during a four-on-four sequence, Francesco Dell’Elce hammered the puck from up top for his ninth at 7:37 that made it 3-2. Dell’Elce’s one-timer beat Kendrick over the shoulder.
Trail did not squander the lead as Jason Stefanek sealed the win with his goal with just under two minutes left that made it 4-2 for the Smoke Eaters.
GAME NOTES
This was Trail’s first regular season win at the SOEC since November 6th, 2019, snapping a six-game losing streak in Penticton. Friday’s loss is just the third time this season the Vees have lost back-to-back games, and the first time since December 30th.
GAME STATS
Shots: 49-18, Vees
Vees Scoring: Arnott (27), Dell’Elce (9)
Vees Goaltending: Will Ingemann (L) 58:25 14/18
Power-Plays
Vees: 1/5
Smoke Eaters: 1/1
Three Stars:
1) Teagan Kendrick
2) Callum Arnott
3) Max Potvin
ATTENDANCE: 3,018
NEXT GAME: The Vees (38-9-3-3) host the West Kelowna Warriors at the SOEC on Sunday, March 31st; puck drop is 2:00 pm. Tickets: www.valleyfirsttix.com
