Game 3 of BCHL championship tonight at SOEC

After earning a split of the first two games in Chilliwack, the Penticton Vees return home looking to take control of the Fred Page Cup BCHL championship series.

Games 3 and 4 of the best-of-seven series between the Vees and Chilliwack Chiefs go tonight and Wednesday, both 7 p.m. puckdrops at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

The SOEC has been a fortress for the Vees so far in the playoffs, where they have forged a 6-2 record that includes Game 7 wins over Merritt and Vernon in front of huge crowds in the first two rounds.

The Chiefs, however, have made some serious hay on the road where they are a perfect 8-0 (5-5 at home) in the post-season.

“Obviously they feel pretty comfortable playing on the road,” observed Vees GM and head coach Fred Harbinson. “They haven’t played in our building yet though.”

Harbinson said the Chiefs come as advertised with some of the best offensive players in the league led by runaway BCHL playoff scoring leader Jordan Kawaguchi (13 goals and 32 points in 18 games).

“They are a fast, transition team with some physical elements to their lineup,” said Harbinson. “It’s been a real fast, skating series … a lot of different to our last round (against Vernon).”

The Chiefs won Game 1 on Friday 4-2, but the Vees bounced back with a comprehensive 5-1 victory in Game 2 on Saturday.

“Other than that first 10 minutes of Game 1, we’ve been real solid,” said Harbinson. “We’ve been fast and heavy on pucks and made good decisions with and without the puck all over the ice. We’ve had consistent contributions from all four lines and all six defencemen, and of course Robson (goaltender Mat) has been terrific.”

Harbinson has not been reticent to make personnel moves in the playoffs when the Vees have needed a spark.

In Game 2, he swapped a pair of 20-yearolds, inserting big, physical forward Ryley Riley and scratching defenceman Mitch Meek. The Vees have seven 20-year-olds but can only dress six for games.

Risling, who hadn’t played since Game 6 of the Merritt series on March 24, responded with the game’s first goal less than three minutes in.

“Ryley has been a great soldier for us all year,” said Harbinson. “He gets a huge goal and creates havoc on the forecheck and with his physical play. It was a response we needed. We told every guy in the room that they’re going to have their moment. Ryley got his and he seized it and ran with it.”

Every time Harbinson has made a move, it has paid dividends.

He activated veteran forward Taylor Sanheim for Game 7 against Merritt (in place of Risling) after a lengthy injury layoff, the 21-year-old scored early to tie the game and hasn’t left the lineup since, scoring five goals in 10 games.

The coach threw affiliated player Cassidy Bowes into the cauldron of Game 7 against Vernon last Monday and the 18-year-old rookie responded with an assist on the first goal, followed by an assist in Game 1 against the Chiefs, and his first playoff goal in Game 2 on Saturday – which proved to be the winner.

And 15-year-old phenom Massimo Rizzo got the call for the first two games of the Chilliwack series, played a key role in the third goal in Game 2 and has yet to be on the ice for a goal against.

“Rizzo is an exceptional talent, he’s had a few games under his belt now and he’s been here for the last month practising with us,” Harbinson said. “This isn’t minor hockey anymore. He understands our structure and has adapted really well to the speed, physicality of the game at this level.”

With youngsters like Bowes and Rizzo getting the chance to play, the Vees now have veterans such as Meek, Turner Ripplinger, Matt Gosiewski and Jamie Armstrong waiting in the wings.

Defenceman Sam Rossini, out the entire season with a torn knee ligament, also got cleared to practice with full contact and is eligible to enter the series if the Vees so choose.

“It’s a great thing to have this kind of depth,” said Harbinson. “Last season, we didn’t have any options and obviously it hurt us when a few guys went down.”

Due to a prior booking at the SOEC, the schedule for the final is more spread out. Game 5 won’t be until Saturday in Chilliwack.

If necessary, Game 6 is Monday, April 24 at the SOEC, and Game 7 Tuesday, April 25 in Chilliwack.

“We’re fine with it,” said Harbinson. “It’s the same for both teams.”

ICE CHIPS: With a pair of assists in Game 2, Vees’ Gabe Bast now leads all defencemen in playoff scoring with five goals and 14 points . . . . Captain Nicholas Jones leads the Vees with 19 points and is tied for second in playoff scoring with Chilliwack F Kohen Olischefski . . . . Penticton improved to 7-1 when scoring first in the playoffs . . . . There were only two minor penalties whistled in Game 2 — both to the Chiefs. “When you’re moving your feet, there are a lot fewer situations where you have to take penalties,” said Harbinson. “Both teams have depth and are really skating.”