Photo: Alexander Patton Photography
Boxscore
SPRUCE GROVE, AB – The Penticton Vees opened the 2024-25 BCHL regular season with a 3-2 win over the Spruce Grove Saints, Friday at Grant Fuhr Arena.
Landon Wright scored the game-winner with less than two minutes left in regulation, breaking a 2-2 deadlock. The Vees now get set to face the Sherwood Park Crusaders (1-0-0-0) on Saturday.
Penticton’s Matthew Cataldo opened the scoring in the first period, with his first career BCHL goal. Anselmo Rego also found the back of the net in the opening frame, all part of a two point night for the returning forward.
Will Ingemann picked up the win in the Vees’ net as he stopped 24 of 26 shots.
Assistant Coach Matthew Vanden Berg
“It’s hard to win in our league anywhere on the road, especially for a new grew in a new environment. We found a way tonight to grind out the win. We had some great moments tonight and I’m excited to see more from this group going forward,” said Vees’ Assistant Coach Matthew Vaden Berg.
Cataldo’s goal came 3:53 into the first period, as he finished off a two-on-rush with Rego. After Spruce Grove tied the game on the power play, Rego reclaimed the lead for Penticton midway through the frame after he jammed the puck in at the side of the net at 12:55.
Spruce Grove got the only goal in the middle frame, as Austin Peters scored just before the 10-minute mark, to tie it up 2-2.
It stayed tie all the way until the late stages of the third period, when Wright scored the late game-winner. Wright tipped in Julien Wasmer’s point shot for his first in Vees colours at 18:20.
Rego finished with a goal and assist. Defencemen Matthew Biotti and Michael Fisher each had two assists.
GAME STATS
Shots: Vees- 33 Saints- 26
Scoring: Matthew Cataldo, Anselmo Rego, Landon Wright
Goaltending: Will Ingemann (W): 60:00, 24/26
Vees Power-Play: 0/3
Vees Penalty-Kill: 3/4
Three Stars:
1) Landon Wright
2) Ryan De Kok
3) Anselmo Rego
Up Next: The Vees (1-0-0-0) visit the Sherwood Park Crusaders on Saturday, September 21st; puck drop is slated for 6:00 pm PDT. Fans can watch the game on FloHockey TV or they can listen to Bounce Radio 800 AM.