SALMON ARM, B.C. – The Penticton Vees had their six game win streak come to an end on Monday afternoon, after their 3-2 overtime loss to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks at the Shaw Centre.
Penticton picked up a single point with the overtime setback and now sits six points ahead of West Kelowna for top spot in the Interior. Monday capped off a busy long weekend that saw the Vees play three games in four days against the top four in the division.
“Looking at the big picture, to come away with five out of six points against the three of the top four teams in the conference is huge. Certainly not how we wanted to end this stretch but important points and a good weekend overall for our group,” commented Assistant Coach Matthew Vanden Berg.
Callum Arnott and James Fisher scored three minutes apart in the second period. After a scoreless opening frame, Salmon Arm took the lead midway through the middle frame, but Arnott and Fisher rallied their team with two goals inside the final seven minutes of the second, as the Vees led 2-1 after two periods.
Salmon Arm forced overtime with a power play goal midway through the third period, the won it with just 31 seconds left in the 10-minute overtime frame.
Andrew Ness stopped 27 of 30 shots in a losing cause on Monday. He was sharp early, stopping all 13 shots he faced in the opening frame.
Salmon Arm got the better of Penticton is the special teams department. The Silverbacks scored a power play goal in the third to tie the game 2-2, and Penticton failed to convert on either of their two power plays.
The overtime winner came inside the final half minute of overtime. Newly acquired Patrick Raftery scored his first as a Silverback down low on a give-and-go with Nathan Mackie to seal the extra point for the home team.
GAME NOTES
With his goal Monday, Arnott extended his point streak to seven games. Arnott now has goals and 10 points in his last seven. With his assist, Billy Renfrew now has eight points in his last six games. Monday was Andrew Ness’ first start he lost since November 10th. He had won his previous nine starts.
GAME STATS
Shots: 31-30, Vees
Vees Scoring: Callum Arnott (24), James Fisher (18)
Vees Goaltending: Andrew Ness (L) 69:29 27/30
Power-Plays
Vees: 0/2
Silverbacks 1/2
Three Stars:
1) Patrick Raftery
2) Cole Cooksey
3) Callum Arnott
NEXT GAME: The Vees (30-7-3-2) visit the Cranbrook Bucks (19-23-2-0) on Saturday, February 24th; puck drop is 6:00 pm PST.
