Penticton stumbles to overtime loss in Surrey
Ex-Vee Darius Davidson scores 2 goals, including the winner, as the Eagles beat Penticton 4-3
It was a memorable ending to the junior hockey career of one-time Penticton Vees forward Darius Davidson. The 21-year-old Davidson scored twice — including the winner with three seconds left in the first overtime period — and added an assist as the Surrey Eagles stunned the Vees 4-3 on Thursday at the South Surrey Arena.
Ty Westgard and another former Vees forward, Desi Burgart, also scored for the Eagles (18-36-4) in their last game of 2016-17. Paul McAvoy had three assists for the Eagles, who evened their overtime record at 4-4.
Jared Nash, Grant Cruikshank and James Miller replied for the Vees (40-13-2-1), who are 10-3-1 in overtime this season. The Vees are three points ahead of Victoria for third overall in the BCHL.
Keelan Williams made 39 saves for the win. Nolan Hildebrand got a rare start and surrendered three goals on 12 shots before Mat Robson came on to make 23 saves.
The Vees needed just 10 seconds to get on the board as Nash bagged his fifth of the season from Ryley Risling.
It was an otherwise forgettable period for the visitors. Westgard tied it at 8:59 and Burgart scored a highlight-reel breakaway goal after stealing the puck near the Vees blue-line at 12:28.
Davidson tacked on one more at 14:02 to put Surrey up 3-1.
Hildebrand finished out the period but was replaced by Robson to start the second — and the Vees rallied.
Cruikshank scored his team-leading 32nd on the power play at 2:21, then Miller took a perfect pass from Nicholas Jones in transition and banked one in off the post at 16:31 to tie the game.
After a scoreless third period, the Eagles were the better team in overtime, outshooting the Vees 7-0. They finally got the winner at 4:57 as Davidson’s shot on the rush appeared to deflect off a Vees defender and flutter over Robson’s glove.
McAvoy and former Vees defenceman Dom Masellis assisted on Davidson’s team-leading 32nd goal of the season.
Davidson, McAvoy and Williams were the three stars.
The Vees finish up the regular season tonight with a road game against the Chilliwack Chiefs at 7 p.m.
ICE CHIPS: The Vees summoned 15-year-old phenom Massimo Rizzo from the Burnaby Winter Club Prep team, scratching F Matt Gosiewski . . . . The Vees were once again without D Mitch Meek (hand), D Joe Leahy (head) and F Taylor Sanheim (upper-body). All three will not return until the playoffs . . . . The depleted Eagles suited up only nine forwards and seven defencemen.