FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday September 21st
VEES WIN OT THRILLER OVER SPRUCE KINGS AT HOME
PENTICTON, BC ? The Penticton Vees have two wins in three home games after a 3-2 double overtime thriller on Tuesday night at the South Okanagan Events Centre. Logan Johnston played hero and the Vees are back to a game over .500 with the win.
The Vees jumped out two a 2-0 lead in the first period, but saw the Spruce Kings force O.T. before Troy Stecher?s dazzling rush lead the Vees to victory. With less than two minutes remaining in 3-on-3 in the second overtime, the Vees rookie defender drove down the wing, spun around a Spruce Kings and cut to the slot. Stecher?s shot was stopped, but Logan Johnston was there to bury the rebound and end the game.
Johnston had an assist on the first goal, and forced PG forward Riley Spraggs from the game for nearly a full period with a bone-crushing hit in the second period. Johnston also drew a key penalty late in the third period that negated a Prince George power play. Johnston leads the Vees with a pair of goals and four points through the first five games of the season.
The Vees opened the scoring less than three minutes into the first period when Brad Robbins tipped in a Lane Werbowski point shot. Less than four minutes later Derek Johnson scored on wrist shot on the man-advantage on a set-up by James Polk and 16-year-old Stecher – who would finish with two assists on the night.
Midway through the first period it looked as if the Vees were on their way to a rout, but the Spruce Kings got back into the game with a goal in the last minute of play in the frame when Kyle Manlow tipped a Justin Fillion shot of the post where it was poked in by Billy Faust who was trying to clear his crease.
RJ Berra tied the game midway through the third frame when RJ Berra slid a back hand shot past Faust, set up by JuJhar Khaira and Nic DeSousa on a broken play that saw Faust down and out in his net.
Faust earned his first win of the season stopping 25 of 27 shots, and was named the game?s third star. At the other end Ryan Benitez was yanked after allowing the first two goals and Kirk Thompson was stellar in relief not allowing a goal in over 60 minutes of hockey before Johnston ended the game in extra time much to the delight of the 875 fans in attendance.
The Vees finished with a solo power play goal on four opportunities, while the Spruce Kings couldn?t score on five opportunities.
The Spruce Kings will be looking for revenge on Saturday night when the Vees visit the Prince George Coliseum as part of a three game weekend road trip.
The Vees find themselves two points back of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks for top spot in the Interior through five games. The Silverbacks happen to be the Vees next opponent on Thursday Night at the SOEC.
Puck drop is 7:00PM and you can catch all the action on EZ Rock AM 800 in Penticton, in the SOEC at 105.5FM, and online at MyEZRock.com, or BCHL.ca starting with the 6:40 Pre-Game Show.
Vees Game Tickets can be purchased at the SOEC box office during business hours, and online at ValleyFirstTix.com
