Ryan Gropp and Brett Beauvais supplied the offense and Olivier Mantha stopped all 22 shots he faced, as the Vees shutout the West Kelowna Warriors 2-0 in pre-season action at the SOEC Monday.
Like Sunday in West Kelowna, the two teams skated to a scoreless first period with the Vees outshooting the Tribe 11-8. David Pope came close for the Warriors, ringing a wrist-shot off the cross-bar early. The Vees best chance came off the stick of Liam Finlay but his point-blank shot from the slot was fought off by Warriors starter Cody Porter.
Gropp broke the goose-egg midway through the second, as he rushed the puck into the Warriors zone and slid a wrist-shot underneath Steve Myland from the high slot. Gropp danced through the neutral zone before going five-hole at 11:43.
Brett Beauvais, who assisted on Gropp’s goal, picked up his second point of the night early in the third. Paul Stoykewych missed on his slap-shot from the point but the puck caromed off the glass and right to Beauvais at the side of the goal for a tap-in at 5:55.
The Vees went 0-6 on the power-play; the Warriors went 0-4. The Vees outshot the Tribe 39-22 and in all six periods dating back to last night. The Vees are off tomorrow before hosting the Trail Smoke Eaters at the SOEC on Wednesday; puck drop is 7pm. Tickets are just $5 and available at the Valley First Box Office at the SOEC or online at www.valleyfirsttix.com
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