FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
MERRITT, BC-Sam Mellor scored on a Vees power-play late in the third as the Vees snapped their four-game losing streak with a 3-2 win in Merritt on Wednesday. The win is the Vees first since October 26th and first against the Centennials this season.
Mellor scored on the Vees fourth power-play with just 1:44 left in the third period to seal the victory; the goal was Mellor’s first in 12 games.
The Vees surrendered the opening goal of the game whilst on the power-play. Short-handed, Sean Maktaak raced down a loose puck at center and broke in on partial breakaway, putting a wrist-shot off the post and past Chad Katunar at 13:32.
The Centennials carried the lead into the second period before the Vees responded midway through the middle stanza. Louie Nanne tied the game when he buried a rebound off an odd-man rush. Brad McClure had his rebound from the right-wing kick to Nanne in the slot, who potted his fifth at 10:26 assists to McClure and Ryan Gropp. The three teamed up for another in the second to give the Vees their first lead of the game.
Later in the period, Ryan Gropp worked the puck free from behind net, and Nanne put a pass out front to McClure who rifled a wrist-shot over the glove of Tyler Steel at 17:20. The line of Gropp, McClure and Nanne combined for two goals and six points in the second.
The Vees nursed the 2-1 lead into the latter half of the third period before the Cents’ tied the game off a turnover at the Vees blue-line. The Vees twice failed to clear the puck out of the zone, before Sebastien Pare walked into the slot and wired a shot past the blocker of Katunar at 13:46
The teams appeared to be destined for overtime until the Vees were rewarded a power-play with just over three minutes left. With Dylan Chanter in the penalty-box, the Vees worked the puck back to the point, where Sam Mellor blasted a low slap-shot through Tyler Steel at 18:16; Mellor’s first goal since September 30th.
Merritt, frustrated, ran into penalty trouble in the final minutes of the game, as the Vees finished the game with a two-man advantage nullifying any comeback attempt by Merritt.
FINAL SCORE: 3-2 Vees
Shots: 29-27 Cents’
Power-Plays: Vees 1/6 Cents’ 0/2
Three Stars: 1) Sean Maktaak 2)Brock Balson 3) Brad McClure
Vees Notes: With his assist Wednesday, Wade Murphy now has at least a point in all 16 games he’s played in. Brad McClure has three goals in his last two games, after being held off the scoresheet the three games prior. Louie Nanne’s second period goal was his first since October 6th against Trail; six games between goals for Nanne.
Up Next:The Vees return home on Friday, November 16th when the host the Salmon Arm Silverbacks; face-off is 7pm. The game is the Vees annual Teddy Bear Toss night, and fans are encouraged to bring a stuffed animal to the game that will be collected for the Salvation Army’s toy drive. Tickets are available at the Valley First Box Office at the SOEC or online at www.valleyfirsttix.com
