FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
SundaySeptember 26th
VEES DROP ANAIL BITER TO THE MILLS IN QUESNEL
QUESNEL, BC ? ThePenticton Vees have wrapped up their busiest stretch of hockey of the season,and have returned home from the Cariboo with four of a possible six points,following a 2-0 setback to the Quesnel Millionaires.
Sunday saw the Vees meet up with the Millionaires for thesecond time over the weekend. In Friday?s first meeting of the season series,the Vees beat the Mills 3-1, but Sunday saw the Millionaires exact a measure ofrevenge.
For the Vees Sunday?s match was their fifth in the last sixdays, and their fourth consecutive day with a game. The Vees won?t play gamesin four straight days again this season.
It took over forty-five minutes of hockey before the Millsscored the first goal of the game on Sunday, and the Mills then added an emptynet goal in a game that saw both goaltenders combine for over 60 saves.
Joel Rumpel made 33 saves on 34 shots, but was stuck withhis third loss of the season. Kirby Halcrow, who was outdueled on Friday byBilly Faust, stopped at 28 shots he saw and earned his second win. Both Halcrowand Rumpel will be in Penticton Monday and Tuesday at the Team Canada WestEvaluation Camp for the upcoming World Junior ?A? Challenge.
Spencer Graboski was the hero for the Millionaires as hisgoal off a 3-on-2 rush in the third period stood as the winner. Tyler Frenchand Malcolm Gould had assists on the goal that cam at 9:08 of the third period.With just 59 seconds remaining the Mills added an insurance marker as theyscored into an empty net.
Special teams weren?t a factor in the loss to the Mills, asthe Vees had just one abbreviated power play and took just two penalties in thegame. All three minors were killed off.
The Vees now have a record of (5-4-0-0) and have solepossession of 3rd spot in the Interior Conference behind the SalmonArm Silverbacks and the Trail Smoke Eaters.
Next home action for the Vees comes Thursday, the 30thof September when the Merritt Centennials face the Vees for the first time thisseason. Friday, the Cowichan Valley Capitals visit the S.O.E.C. in their lonetrip to Penticton.
Puck drop for home games is 7:00PM at the S.O.E.C., and VeesGame Tickets can be purchased at the box office during business hours, oronline at ValleyFirstTix.com
The pre-game show on EZ Rock AM 800 starts twenty minutesprior to puck drop for both Thursday and Friday?s games at 6:40. You can alsotune in on MyEZRock.com, and at BCHL.ca where both the audio stream andPay-Per-View video are available.
