The Penticton Vees are coming home for Game 6 of the Interior Conference Final after winning a dramatic triple overtime game 3-2 on Friday in Vernon. Denver Manderson played hero scoring the winner and Sean Bonar was stellar in the marathon game that keeps the Vees season alive and forces Game 6. After erasing a two-goal deficit in the third period, the Vees and Vipers played two overtime frames without a goal before Vees Captain Denver Manderson ended the game at 7:14 of the sixth period of the night. After killing off a penalty in the first overtime frame the Vees were given a man advantage in the third extra period and while they didn?t score on the power play, it set the stage for the dramatic winner. Garrett Milan won a battle on the end wall and moved the puck to Beau Bennett who darted behind the net, but dropped a pass behind him to Manderson in the slot. Graeme Gordon followed Bennett to the far post, leaving Manderson a gaping cage to shoot at, which sealed the overtime win. Manderson?s 10th of the post-season gave him another multipoint night in the post-season, and 25 points in fifteen playoff games. After the goal 2,850 fans flooded to the exits as the Vees poured off the bench to mob Manderson at centre ice. Sean Bonar was sensational in the win making 61 saves on 63 shots in the win. Graeme Gordon was strong as well making 44 saves on 47 shots; both goalies were named stars of the game. While Manderson?s goal ended another classic Penticton/Vernon hockey game, the Vees needed third period heroics just to push the game to extra-time. Dylan Walchuk?s first BCHL playoff goal in the first period, and Cole Ikkala?s bang-in in the second period had the Vipers up 2-0 through two periods. The Vipers were just 20 minutes from advancing to the Fred Page Cup, but they couldn?t hold the lead. The Vees top line got a goal early in the third when Manderson spotted Bennett open in the high slot and set him up for the first Vees tally of the night. Then with 4:34 remaining in regulation Joey Holka got his first of the series when he banked in the game-tying goal off Gordon and in from below the goal line on a shot that had no business going in. After recording just 20 shots in the first 60 minutes, the Vees poured on the pressure in the first overtime period, testing Gordon 18 times, plus a rocket that hit the crossbar off the stick of Logan Johnston. In the second OT the Vipers pushed back forcing Sean Bonar and the Vees defense to make numerous big plays to keep their season alive. Special teams proved a non-factor in the game as the Vipers went 0/4 on the night while the Vees were 0/3, but scored the winner 29 seconds after their third advantage before the Vipers could get a change. The Vipers now lead the series three games to two, after winning the opening pair in Vernon and splitting Games 3 & 4 in Penticton. Game 6 in Penticton runs Saturday at 7:05 at the South Okanagan Events Centre.Get your tickets!
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