Vees anxious to make a positive first impression
Pre-season game or not, Fred Harbinson says first impressions are always important.
The Penticton Vees play their first home game of the 2018-19 hockey season as they take on the West Kelowna Warriors tonight at 7 p.m. at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
“We always want to make sure we give our best in front of our fans,” said Vees president, GM and head coach. “I’m sure we’ll have a good group of them out to see how we look going into the season. We’ve got guys auditioning for positions on the team . . . there is still a lot on the line.”
While the Warriors have already played two pre-season games, the Vees are essentially playing their first. The two teams did play a “rookie” game last Wednesday in West Kelowna, which the Vees won 3-1.
“We’re really looking forward to it . . . the guys are tired of playing against each other (in practice),” said Harbinson. “(West Kelowna) has played a few games and may have a bit of a step on us early, but I’m sure we’ll adjust.”
The Vees have just 12 healthy forwards and all will suit up tonight, with two of the eight defencemen on the roster scratched.
Harbinson said the Vees may dress 11 forwards and seven defencemen for the next game Friday in Wenatchee.
The Vees finish up the home-and-home set with the Wild and close out pre-season play at the SOEC against Wenatchee on Saturday at 6 p.m.
Harbinson said Jack LaFontaine will get the start in goal tonight, with Derek Krall going on Friday.
West Kelowna will have a new look behind the bench, with Geoff Grimwood taking over as interim head coach after Rylan Ferster resigned just a week ago after seven seasons with the team.
The Warriors also have a new owner in Kim Dobranski, who purchased the team from Mark Cheyne.
Harbinson and the Vees had some epic battles with Ferster and the Warriors over the years.
“Rylan had his reasons for leaving and when there is an ownership change, quite often there are other changes to follow,” said Harbinson. “Rylan put together a real good program there and I’m sure he’ll have other opportunities in this league or another league if he wants them. “I’ve known Geoff for a long time, he’s a real good guy and I’m sure he’ll do a great job.”
Meanwhile, it was confirmed Tuesday the Vees will start the season without injured captain and top-line centre Massimo Rizzo.
Rizzo suffered an upper-body injury during off-season training and while he is continuing to make good progress, he won’t be ready to go for the opener Sept. 7 in Langley.
“We’re hopeful of having him back for the second week of the season for the road trip to Cowichan and Victoria (on Sept. 14-15),” said Harbinson.