Vees closing out season on the road
Penticton in Surrey tonight, Chilliwack on Friday before receiving first-round playoff bye
As they wind down the BCHL regular season this week, the Penticton Vees have an eye towards the BCHL playoffs and the Western Canada Cup.
The Vees (40-13-2-1) close out league play with road games against the Surrey Eagles tonight at 6:30 p.m. and the Chilliwack Chiefs Friday at 7 p.m.
The six-time Interior Division pennant winners have a first-round bye in the playoffs and won’t see action until opening the second round at home on Friday, March 17.
That gives fans plenty of time to get their post-season tickets. The Vees have released BCHL Fred Page Cup playoff pricing and introduced a new “Vees Only” Western Canada Cup (April 29 to May 7) tournament package.
The Vees Only package is $130 and includes the Vees’ four round-robin games and the three WCC playoff games. If fans buy a package now, they’ll be entered to win a luxury suite (10 tickets) for a WCC game. The suite includes a $300 food and beverage credit.
Western Canada Cup chair David Michaud said this package is the first of its kind for the WCC.
“We’ve been receptive to Vees fans who want to watch their team at the WCC, and we feel this package will allow all our fans to secure a seat in what should be a fantastic tournament.”
Fred Page Cup playoff packages will go on sale to season-ticket holders today at 10 a.m. Season-ticket holders can buy the entire playoff package at $168 for adults and $140 for seniors; the same pricing as last season. If not all games are played, the remaining balance will be put toward season tickets for the 2017-18 season. Deadline for season-ticket holders to secure their seats for the playoffs is Monday, March 13, at 5 p.m. After that, seats will be released to the general public. Season-ticket holders and fans can pre-order both their Vees Only WCC tournament package and BCHL Fred Page Cup Playoff package by calling Laura Carleton in the Vees’ office at 250-493-VEES (8337) ext. 4. They can also visit the Valley First box office at the SOEC, starting today at 10 a.m. Single-game playoff tickets are $16 for adults and $14 for seniors and are available at the Valley First box office. Playoff tickets for students (18 years and under) and children are free, courtesy of Peters Bros. Construction.
On the ice, the Vees are looking to complete two-game season series sweeps over Surrey and Chilliwack.
The Eagles (17-35-0-4) are winding down a third straight non-playoff season, sitting fifth in the Mainland Division at 17-35-4.
Chilliwack (40-10-6) will finish second in the Mainland. The Vees could still catch the Chiefs for second overall by sweeping their two games and having the Chiefs lose at home to Prince George on Sunday.
The Vees won their 40th game of the season, 5-1 Tuesday in West Kelowna, and now have a league-best six 40-win campaigns since 2008. During that time, only Vernon and Powell River have two 40-win seasons, while five other teams have one apiece.
“It speaks to the consistency we’ve had,” said president, GM and head coach Fred Harbinson, in his 10th season with the Vees.