Photo: Jack Murray
Merritt, BC. – The Penticton Vees extended their win streak to nine games with their 5-2 victory over the Merritt Centennials, Friday at Nicola Valley Memorial Arena. The Vees (12-1-1-1) now have a four point lead atop of the Interior Conference standings.
Simon Meier scored a pair of third period goals, as Penticton improved to 3-0 against the Centennials this season. Attila Lippai scored in the opening frame and Francesco Dell’Elce and Billy Renfrew found the back of the net in the second period.
Andrew Ness, who made his first start since October 21st, kicked out 20 of 22 shots for his third win this year.
Penticton never trailed in this one, as they had three one-goal leads before they pulled away in the third period.
It was two goals right out of the blocks for both teams. Lippai put the Vees ahead 1-0 just three minutes into the game after he scored his sixth at 3:09. However, Merritt quickly replied, with Jaxon Murray scoring on a rebound 55 seconds later at 4:04 to tie it, 1-1.
The Vees went back ahead five and a half minutes into the second when Dell’Elce scored on a Penticton power play. Ryan MacPherson fed Dell’Elce who wired a one-timer from the face-off circle for his second of the season and first since September 29th.
Merritt’s Dylan Wegner replied with a power play goal, as the Centennials once again leveled the game, this time 2-2 midway through the middle stanza.
Penticton’s special teams produced another goal in the middle frame but this time it was their penalty kill. Billy Renfrew put Penticton back ahead 3-2 with a shorthanded goal 12 minutes into the frame. Cal Arnott set up Renfrew who squeezed his shot underneath the goalie’s glove. Renfrew’s goal was the Vees’ third shorthanded goal this year.
Simon Meier added a pair of third period goals to seal the road win. Meier scored an insurance marker at 8:37 to make it 4-2. Just after the Vees had a power play end, it was Arnott again being the setup man, dishing the puck out front to Meier on the doorstep. The Swiss forward got his second of the period, and fourth of the season, with just over five minutes left. Meier’s shot from the slot took a member’s bounce up and over the Merritt goalie’s arm that made it 5-2 Vees.
GAME STATS
Final Score: 5-2, Vees
Shots: 39-22, Vees
Vees Scoring: Simon Meier (2), Attila Lippai, Billy Renfrew, Francesco Dell’Elce
Vees Goaltending: Andrew Ness (W), 60:00, 20/22
Power-Plays
Vees: 1/4
Centennials: 1/3
Three Stars:
1) Simon Meier
2) Daniel Buchbinder
3) Jaxon Murray
NEXT UP: The Vees (12-1-1-1) make a trip to the East Kootenays to face the Cranbrook Bucks at Western Financial Place on Friday, November 10th; puck drop is 6:00 pm PT. Fans can follow the game on Bounce AM 800 and on Flo Hockey.
