THE BCHL CHAMPS’ SEASON COMES TO AN END

Not even sporting their nostalgic 1954 third jerseys could save the Penticton Valley First Vees in Game Five of the Doyle Cup.  The Camrose Kodiaks doubled Penticton 4-2, Friday night at the Memorial Arena, to take the series Four Games to One.

The Valley First Vees needed a confidence building start, the exact opposite of what actually happened as the Kodiaks had grabbed a 2-0 lead before the game was even two minutes old, which included a shorthanded tally.

By the 7:40 mark of the second period, Camrose went ahead 3-0 and was seemingly poised for its second consecutive trip to the RBC Royal Bank Cup.   

Michael Guzzo?s unassisted goal injected a little life back into a quieted crowd, bringing Penticton to within two at 3-1 following 40 minutes of play.

The Kodiaks scored on the powerplay early in period three to go up 4-1, before Cory Schneider?s late man advantage marker rounded out the Valley First Vees? year, one which consisted of another third of a season, totaling 20 playoff games.

Oddly enough, Penticton outshot Camrose for the fifth straight time.  However, the Kodiaks proved to be the better team throughout the series, aided by timely offence, a stingy defence and strong netminding from Columbus Blue Jackets? draft pick, Allen York.      

The Penticton Valley First Vees may have fallen short in their quest for an appearance in the Canadian Junior ?A? Hockey League National Championship, but the 2007/2008 BCHL title is certainly a proud accomplishment.

FRIDAY NIGHT vs. CAMROSE

FINAL SCORE: CAMROSE – 4, PENTICTON – 2

Camrose      2     1     1     =     4      

Penticton     0     1     1     =     2   

Goals
Camrose: Joe Colborne – 2 (3, 4/GWG), Jesse Todd – 1 (2), Mike Connolly – 1 (1)

Penticton: Michael Guzzo – 1 (1), Cory Schneider – 1 (2)

Assists
Camrose: Andrew MacWilliam – 1, David Jacobsen – 1, Karl Stollery – 1, Jesse Todd – 1

Penticton: Michael Hengen – 1, Austin Smith – 1

Powerplays
Camrose: 1 for 2

Penticton: 1 for 5