As Head Coach Fred Harbinson ponders the task at hand, the Penticton Valley First Vees have yet to clinch first place in the Interior Conference, following Friday night?s 3-1 loss to the Vipers in Vernon.
The Valley First Vees will now look to Saturday night?s regular season finale?, still needing just a single point to secure top spot in the Interior and home ice advantage throughout the BCHL Playoffs. The final leg of the home-and-home with Vernon gets underway at 7:00 o?clock at the Memorial Arena.
Zac Dalpe tallied a ?highlight reel? goal in the second to tie the game at 1-1 after the Vipers had taken the lead on the powerplay earlier in the period. The recently honoured team Rookie of the Year cut to the net, scoring on a backhand off a ?three on one.?
The Vipers buried the go ahead goal early in the period three, capping the victory with an empty netter in the final minute.
Alex Evin stopped 25 of 27 shots in the Penticton net, but was tagged for the loss despite numerous big saves. Meantime, the Valley First Vees managed only 20 shots the entire contest, including just five in both the first and third periods.
The Penticton powerplay also left a lot to be desired, unable to convert on six opportunities. The penalty kill was three of four.
The (40-15-2-2) Penticton Valley First Vees remain in first in the Interior Conference, two points ahead of Westside, who finishes its regular season with a game in Salmon Arm on Saturday night. The Warriors hold tiebreak over the Valley First Vees should the clubs finish the regular season tied in points.
FRIDAY NIGHT at VERNON
FINAL SCORE: VERNON – 3, PENTICTON – 1
Penticton 0 1 0 = 1
Vernon 0 1 2 = 3
Goals
Penticton: Zac Dalpe – 1 (27)
Vernon: Justin Palazzo – 1 (3), Travis Brisebois – 1 (24/GWG), Rob Short – 1 (18/ENG)
Assists
