FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
VEES COMEBACK FALLS SHORT
PENTICTON, BC-The Penticton Vees couldn’t claw back from a two-goal first period deficit, as the Salmon Arm Silverbacks hung on for 2-1 victory at the SOEC on Wednesday night. The loss snaps the Vees modest two-game winning streak and it’s also their second straight loss to the Silverbacks.
The Vees found themselves in a 2-0 hole in the first period after goals 59 seconds apart by the Silverbacks. Former Vee Evan Anderson opened the scoring at 15:53, when he capitalized on a turnover at the Vees blue-line by putting a bouncing puck over Chad Katunar; Anderson’s third goal against his former team in four games.
Not even a minute later the Silverbacks doubled their lead after a deflection in front of the Vees net. Shane Hanna picked-off an errant clearing attempt and walked into the slot, letting go a shot that was tipped by Harlan Orr and past Katunar at 16:52.
The Vees headed to the intermission down by two, even though they out-shot the Silverbacks 15-9 in the opening frame.
In the second the Vees struggled to sustain any offense pressure in the Silverbacks zone, as the Apes defenders did well in blocking shots and sealing off shooting lanes. The two teams skated to a scoreless second; Salmon Arm out-shooting the Vees 9-8.
A switch was flipped in the third period for the Vees, as they ramped up the urgency knowing they had 20 minutes to claw out of a two-goal deficit. Penticton pressed the Silverbacks continuously, attacking the Salmon Arm zone in waves at times, but Adam Clark was there to turn back the attack.
After spending the majority of the period inside the Salmon Arm end, the Vees broke the goose-egg midway through the frame on the power-play. Sam Mellor cut the deficit in half with a goal from the top of the right-circle at 13:27; Mellor sneaking his ninth of the year under the arm of Clark.
Despite a flurry of pressure late in the game, including with the goalie pulled, the Vees couldn’t get the tying marker past Adam Clark; the Vees peppering the Salmon Arm net with 17 shots in the final period. The Silverbacks hung on for their first win in Penticton since March 14th, 2011.
FINAL SCORE: 2-1 SILVERBACKS
Shots: 40-20 Vees
Power-Plays: Vees 1-6 Silverbacks 0-5
Three Stars: 1) Adam Clark 2) Shane Hanna 3) Evan Anderson
Attendance: 1,149
Notes:The loss is the Vees first in regulation in their last five games; last losing November 23rd 2-1 at home to Vernon. The setback drops the Vees record to 20-8-0-3 and their home record moves to 11-4-0-1.The Vees are now 15-4-0-1 against the Interior Division and 8-3-0 at home against divisional opponents.
The Vees next action is Friday when they make their second trip to Vernon to battle the Vipers at 7pm; the Vees already winning three of four this season against the Vipers. The Vees return home for their final game before the holiday break on Saturday, December 15th against the Nanaimo Clippers; puck drop is 5pm. Tickets are available at the Valley First box office at the SOEC, or online at www.valleyfirsttix.con
CONTACT:
FRASER RODGERS
Director of Broadcasting & Media Relations
FraserRodgers@gmail.com (250) 809-1390
