Brooks, AB: The Penticton Vees scored three times in the opening frame and held on for a 4-2 win over the Brooks Bandits Saturday night, capping off the pre-season with a perfect 4-0 record.
Unlike Friday’s game which was scoreless after the first, it took the Vees just 1:46 to open the scoring. Jared Nash had the puck behind the Brooks net and threw a perfect no-look pass out front to Lukas Sillinger for his second goal in as many games.
Just 34 seconds later the Vees extended their lead. Jonny Tychonick’s shot from the blue line hit a Bandits player on its way and deflected into the air. The puck fluttered over Mitchell Benson’s glove, hit the post and rolled along the goal line. Taylor Ward was parked at the side of the goal and was able to slide the puck into the net to make it 2-0.
With a little over eight minutes remaining in the frame, Penticton found the back of the net again. A great forecheck from Nicky Leivermann saw him get behind the defence and ring the puck around to the right point. Ryan O’Connell got control before firing a slap shot that beat Benson glove side.
The Bandits were able to get one back in the first, a one timer from the right circle deflected up in the air and Simon Boyko was able to swat the puck into the net just as it came down.
After a scoreless second, Brooks found the back of the net a second time when Dennis Cesana had the puck coming down the right wing before firing a slap shot past Adam Scheel 2:56 into the third.
The Bandits were called for a late cross checking penalty in the final minutes, and Ward made them pay. He got the puck alone in front of the net and showed off some nice hands by going forehand-backhand and roofing it over an outstretched David Farrier to make it 4-2.
Tensions flared in front of the Brooks bench as the final buzzer went, but when the dust settled it was the Vees leaving town with the victory.
The regular season kicks off Friday night when the Vees travel to Merritt to play the Centennials,
