Cranbrook, BC. – The Penticton Vees had their nine-game win streak come to an end on Friday after their 4-3 overtime loss to the Cranbrook Bucks at Western Financial Place. The loss was the Vees first since October 7th.
Donovan Frias was the overtime hero for the Bucks, as he scored 1:38 into the extra frame on a rebound in front of the Vees’ net. Friday was the Bucks’ first win against Penticton in three games this season (1-2-0-0).
With the overtime point, the Vees extended their point streak to 15 games (12-0-2-1). They are also now 6-1-2-1 on the road after tonight’s
The Vees twice were down two goals in this one, as they trailed Cranbrook 2-0 midway through the first period and then 3-1 in the third. Penticton never had a lead on Friday night.
James Fisher, Ryan MacPherson, and Francesco Dell’Elce scored for the Vees in regulation. Andrew Ness was tagged with the loss in goal, as he turned aside 27 shots in just over 60 minutes of work.
Cranbrook got out to a 2-0 lead midway through the opening frame on goals by Jack Silich and Noah Urness. Silich scored just 58 seconds into the game to put the home side up 1-0. Urness doubled the Bucks’ lead midway through the frame at 11:13
Fisher cut the deficit in half not even a minute after the Bucks’ second goal. Larry Keenan set up Fisher on a cross-crease pass for his 11th at 12:11 that made it 2-1.
Penticton did take a four minute penalty at the tail end of the first but managed to kill it off.
Cranbrook’s Julian Frias scored the only goal in the middle frame, as he capitalized on a Bucks’ power play and his goal put the home team up 3-1 late. Frias batting in a bouncing puck.
The Vees mounted a comeback in the third, scoring twice to force OT. First, Ryan MacPherson scored on a power play at 3:24 that put Penticton within striking distance. Then, with the net empty, Dell’Elce scored the game-tying goal with just 55-seconds left in regulation. On the six-on-five, Zack Stringer dropped the puck back to Dell’Elce, who beat the goalie over the glove to tie it 3-3.
GAME STATS
Final Score: 4-3, Bucks
Shots: 36-31, Vees
Vees Scoring: Fisher, R. MacPherson, Dell’Elce
Vees Goaltending: Andrew Ness (L) 60:18, 27/31
Power-Plays
Vees: 1/2
Bucks: 1/3
Three Stars:
1) Donovan Frias
2) Noah Urness
3) Francesco Dell’Elce
NEXT UP: The Vees (12-1-2-1) have a quick turnaround, as they host the Trail Smoke Eaters at the SOEC Saturday, on Veterans Night; puck drop is 6:00 pm. Veterans and active service members get in free on Saturday. Tickets are available at the Valley First box office at the SOEC, or online at www.valleyfirsttix.com
