FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Saturday, December 1st, 2012
SALMON ARM, BC– A former Vee came back to haunt his former team on Saturday, as Evan Anderson scored 1:36 into double-overtime, lifting the Salmon Arm Silverbacks to a 3-2 win over the Penticton Vees. The win is Salmon Arm’s first in 12 games against the Vees, snapping an 11 game losing streak dating back to last season.
With the overtime setback, the Vees do pick up a single point, pushing their point total to 39; nine points up on idle Merritt atop the Interior Division standings.
Ryan Gropp opened the scoring just before the eight minute mark of the first period. Gropp moved into the slot from the right half-wall and snapped a shot past the glove of Dustin Nikkel at 7:28. Gropp was setup by Sam Mellor after the two exchanged passes on the right side of the Silverbacks zone.
The Silverbacks equalized just over six minutes later on a redirect in-close. Brandon Mistal deflected a shot out front of the Vees goal and between the legs of Chad Katunar at 13:40. Alex Gillies let go a wrist-shot from the right-circle that was tipped by Mistal and slid its way through Katunar and just across the goal-line.
The Vees reclaimed the lead before the first was over, as Brad McClure picked up his team-leading 17th goal on the power-play. McClure finished off a pretty passing play between himself, Brock Balson and Sam Mellor. McClure one-timed a pass from the corner and over the shoulder of Nikkel at 16:57; McClure extending is goal-scoring streak to three games.
The two teams held each other scoreless in the second period, with the Silverbacks outshooting the Vees 15-7. Penticton ran into penalty trouble in the middle frame, which included killing-off a four-minute double-minor for high-sticking.
The Vees went down a man again in the third period and this time it cost them the lead. Brayden Sherbinin wired a slap-shot from the point and past a screened Katunar at 11:26, leveling the game at two’s and eventually forcing overtime.
After a scoreless four-on-four session, the Silverbacks found the winner in the three-on-three period. Former Vee Evan Anderson’s wrist-shot from the right-circle beat Chad Katunar on the short-side at 1:36; Anderson’s second goal against his former club.
Chad Katunar was brilliant in overtime, as moments before the Anderson goal, Katunar robbed Ryan Schwalbe of a sure game-winner with a dazzling pad save.
FINAL SCORE: 3-2 Silverbacks
Shots: 41-36 Silverbacks
Power-Plays: Vees 1-5 Silverbacks 1-5
Three Stars: 1) Evan Anderson 2) Dustin Nikkel 3) Chad Katunar
Vees Notes:The loss drops the Vees record to 18-7-0-3 through 28 games and their record moves to 14-3-0-1 versus the Interior Division.
Brad McClure extended his goal-scoring streak to three games; Cam Amantea’s two-game streak came to an end Saturday. Troy Stecher was held pointless and thus snaps his four game point streak.
Up Next:The Vees return to the SOEC next weekend for a pair of home games. On Friday, December 7th, the Vees host the Merritt Centennials for the second time this season; the two teams splitting the first two meeting this season. Then on Saturday the Vees play the Langley Rivermen for the first time this season; Langley’s only visit to the SOEC. Tickets for both games can be purchased at the Valley First box office at the SOEC, or online at www.valleyfirsttix.com
CONTACT: FRASER RODGERS
Director of Broadcasting & Media Relations
Penticton Vees Hockey Club
FraserRodgers@gmail.com (250) 809-1390
