Vees shooting for strong finish
National attendance record within reach with 3 games at SOEC this weekend
The Penticton Vees have put up some recordbreaking numbers on the ice in recent seasons, and they hope to do the same at the South Okanagan Events Centre turnstiles this weekend.
The Vees (37-12-2-1) play their final three regular-season home games this weekend, facing the West Kelowna Warriors tonight at 7 p.m., Salmon Arm Silverbacks Saturday at 6 p.m., and Victoria on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Sitting at an average attendance of 2,930 through 25 home games, the Vees are virtually assured of establishing a new Canadian junior-A hockey record.
Vees president, GM and head coach Fred Harbinson said he would love to see the team reach an average of 3,000 fans through the 28-game home schedule.
“It’s going to take close to 3,500 a game this weekend, which is obviously asking a lot,” said Harbinson, who noted the Vees are on target to get 3,500 fans for the annual Anti-Bullying Night game on Saturday.
Arch-rivals West Kelowna Warriors make their last visit — possibly ever — to the SOEC tonight. The Warriors always have strong travelling support as well, Harbinson noted.
And Sunday is a rare matinee to close out the home slate against a strong team the Vees are tied with in the overall standings — Victoria. The Vees’ regular season individual awards will be presented on the ice after the game.
“It’s a great chance to bring all the kids out to the game on a Sunday afternoon, see the awards presented and still be home in time for dinner,” said Vees director of player development and corporate sales David Michaud.
The Vees, who clinched a sixth The West Kelowna Warriors are making their final visit of the regular season – and possibly last visit ever – to the SOEC to face the Penticton Vees tonight at 7 p.m. The Vees also host Salmon Arm on Saturday at 6 p.m. and Victoria on Sunday at 2 p.m. in their last three home games of the regular season. straight Interior pennant last week, have been sensational at home once again with a 19-4-1-1 overall record. Only the Wenatchee Wild have a better mark, while the Chilliwack Chiefs are almost even with the Vees.
The Vees had a season-high 4,142 fans on hand for the only visit of the season from league-leading Wenatchee on Saturday, with the home team responding with a thrilling 2-0 win.
Harbinson said that game was a perfect example of the importance of appointing Laura Carleton to focus specifically on tickets and group sales.
“She had a number of different groups there on Saturday and in a lot of other games this season,” said Harbinson. “With Laura, David (Michaud) and Fraser Rodgers (director of broadcasting, media relations and community events), we’ve really been able to run the team like a business.”
He credited owner Graham Fraser for investing money into having a proper business staff.
“If things continue in the same vein, we plan to build on our staff moving forward,” said Harbinson.
Harbinson acknowledged the generosity of Peter Bros. Construction to subsidize a program allowing local students and children ages 18 and under free admission to all Vees games has also been a huge factor with attendance.
He also noted that the Wicked Wednesday games, which feature $5 tickets for adult fans and discounted beverage prices and live entertainment, have also continued to be a big success this season.
“We’re doing everything we can to put a great product on the ice and make it affordable for our fans,” said Harbinson.
The coach said many people have been asking why the Vees haven’t removed the tarpaulin covers from a few sections at the SOEC for home games.
Harbinson noted the tarps display paid sponsorships from local business, but also stressed if they do remove a tarp and open up a section, it “changes the atmosphere” of the building if only 40 people buy tickets in a 300-seat section.
“If we get more season’s tickets going forward, then we’d look at taking more tarps off,” Harbinson said. “That’s how our business model works. We need to create a demand for tickets.”
Harbinson also noted this weekend will be the last opportunity for local fans to see the Vees play at home until the second round of the playoffs on Friday, March 17.
“It will be almost a full month before we play (at the SOEC) again,” he said. “Hopefully we can get a nice push this weekend playing against three real good teams who all have a lot at stake.”
West Kelowna (26-25-2) is tied for third place with Trail in the Interior — which would give them home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs — after winning 4-3 at Salmon Arm Wednesday. The Vees are a perfect 5-0 against the Warriors this season.
Salmon Arm (19-28-3-3) is in last place in the Interior but close to clinching the final playoff spot over Surrey, who are bidding to qualify through a crossover berth. The pesky Silverbacks have beaten the Vees three times in five games this season.
On Sunday, the Vees will look to avenge a 2-1 double-overtime loss to the Grizzlies Feb. 4 in Victoria. Both clubs have 77 points, though the Vees have a game in hand and hold the tiebreaker.
Unbeaten in regulation in six games in February (5-0-1), the Vees have set several “mini-goals” for the remaining six games, Harbinson said.
“We want to get to 40 wins again, which is a great number in a 58-game season,” he said. “We want to maintain our hold on the lowest goals-against average and we want to make sure we don’t lose more than the (four) we’ve lost at home in regulation. We’ve still got a chance to move up in the overall standings, too.
“Knowing we’re going to have a pretty lengthy break coming up before we start the playoffs, we want to keep pushing hard, make sure our whole bench gets plenty of ice time.”
The Vees finish up with road games in West Kelowna on Tuesday, Surrey on Thursday and Chilliwack Friday, Feb. 24. The BCHL regular season ends Feb. 26, and the first round of the playoffs starts March 3.
The Vees and second-place Vernon Vipers get a first-round bye in the Interior playoffs and will not see action until the second round.
ICE CHIPS: Vees D Mitch Meek (broken finger) has resumed skating and could be ready in time for the playoffs . . . . Rookie D Sam Rossini (torn knee ligament in pre-season game) has been skating hard and will return to the Vees just before the playoffs start and will practise in a non-contact jersey. Harbinson said the talented youngster will definitely be available for the Western Canada Cup, which the Vees are hosting April 29 to May 7 at the SOEC.