FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Saturday, November 24, 2012
VEES EARN WEEKEND SPLIT IN VERNON
VERNON, BC-The Penticton Vees salvaged a home-and-home weekend with the Vernon Vipers, winning 3-1 Saturday at Wesbild Centre in Vernon. Three different Vees found the score-sheet and Chad Katunar made 28 saves for his first win in four tries.
The win also moves the Vees record to 3-1 against the Vipers and 13-3 against the Interior Division. The victory is the Vees 17th of the year and bumps up their record to 17-7-0-2 for 36 points; eight points up on second place Merritt.
Cam Amantea, Sam Mellor and Brad McClure scored the Vees three goals and six different Vees picked up points. Mellor led all scorers with two points (1-1-2) and was named the first star.
However, with that said, the Vipers got a leg up on the Vees midway through the first period. Adam Tambellini opened the scoring on a Vipers power-play at 11:32. Tambellini’s shot from the circle deflected twice, before bouncing past Chad Katunar; Tambellini’s third goal and fourth point against the Vees this season.
It didn’t take long for the Vees respond, as Cam Amantea equalized for the Vees two and a half minutes after the Vernon power-play marker. Amantea finished off a pretty passing play in the Vipers zone, lifting a back-hand over Austin Smith at 14:07. Sean Flanagan made a nice play setting up the goal, stick-handling around an outstretched defender, before sliding a pass across to Amantea in the slot.
The goal seemed to energize the Vees, as they went ahead only a few minutes later. On a power-play of their own, Sam Mellor wired a shot from the deep slot past Smith at 17:29; the goal coming just 11 seconds into the man-advantage. Troy Stecher drew the only assist on the goal, as he slid the puck back to Mellor from the right-wing.
The Vees took a well-earned 2-1 lead into the intermission, out-shooting the Vipers 11-10 in the process. This despite the Vees going down to 11 forwards after Louie Nanne took a nasty spill into an open door at the Vernon bench; Nanne didn’t return and is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
After three goals in the opening period, neither side found the back of the in the second. The Vees held a distinct advantage in shots, putting 15 on Austin Smith compared to the eight shots the Vipers steered towards Chad Katunar.
The Vees would take the lead into the second intermission, as the Vees once again found themselves in a tight-checking, one-goal game.
Vernon, trailing 2-1 in the third, tried to force the issue, but time and again was turned aside by the Vees.
The Vees themselves had a handful of chances to go ahead by two, including Brad McClure who was stopped point-blank in front of the Vipers goal; McClure would get a second shot and made no mistake.
Late in the third the Vees put the game out of reach with a snipe off the blade of McClure. The Stratford, Ontario native took a drop pass from Sam Mellor and put a laser-beam over the blocker of Smith at 16:20; McClure’s 15th goal of the season and the clincher.
Tempers flared in the dying moments of the game, as a scrum formed at the side of the Vees goal, which included Chad Katunar taking a cross-check to the chest. When the dust settled, the Vees would finish the game on the power-play, sealing the win and splitting the home-and-home.
FINAL SCORE:3-1 VEES
Shots: 32-29 Vees
Power-Plays: Vees 1-5 Vipers 1-1
Three Stars: 1) Sam Mellor 2) Brad McClure 3) Pearce Eviston
The win improves the Vees record to 6-4 when coming off a loss; the Vees outscoring their opponents 31-23 in those 10 games.
Sam Mellor’s two points gives him three goals and six points against the Vipers in four games; best amongst Vees skaters. Troy Stecher now has five points against the Vipers this season, with his first period assist.
The Vees are back in action Wednesday, November 28th at the SOEC, when they host Salmon Arm Silverbacks; puck drop is 7pm. Salmon Arm is coming off a weekend sweep of the Trail Smoke Eaters and have won their past four games. Tickets are available at the Valley First box office at the SOEC, or online at www.valleyfirsttix.com
