VEES BOW TO THE LOWLY CENTENNIALS

The Penticton Valley First Vees will be looking for revenge on Saturday night when they host the second half of a home-and-home with the Merritt Centennials after being upset 3-1, Friday night at the Nicola Valley Arena.  The loss snaps a four game winning streak and is the first defeat at the hands of the Centennials as Penticton was victorious in the previous four meetings this season. 

The Valley First Vees trailed 1-0 after 20 minutes, but tied the game in the second period on a beautiful goal scored by an outstretched Zac Dalpe, who was slid through the goalmouth on his chest while tucking the puck around the Merritt goaltender and into the net.  Dalpe?s 24th was set up by Brett Hextall and Cory Schneider and stood as the lone Penticton goal, despite the 36 shots directed at Cents? netminder Graeme Gordon. 

Merritt went ahead 2-1 early in the third, before icing the game with an empty netter in the dying seconds.

Bryan Mountain made 29 saves on 31 shots in suffering the loss.

The Valley First Vees? powerplay had just a single opportunity to strike and came up empty handed, while the penalty kill was perfect in four shorthanded situations.

Despite the loss, the (37-13-2-1) Penticton Valley First Vees still hold down top spot in the Interior Conference by five points over second place Westside.

Saturday night?s re-match against Merritt gets underway at 7:00 o?clock at the Memorial Arena.

FRIDAY NIGHT at MERRITT

FINAL SCORE: MERRITT – 3, PENTICTON – 1

Penticton     0     1     0     =     1    

Merritt          1     0     2     =     3       

Goals

Penticton: Zac Dalpe – 1 (24)

Merritt: Jordan Grant – 1 (7), Brian Kang – 1 (12/GWG), Tyler Barr – 1 (6/ENG)

Assists

Penticton: Brett Hextall – 1, Cory Schneider – 1

Merritt: Tyler Barr – 2, Michael Naito – 1