Preseason winding down for Vees and KIJHL teams

It’s a few last dress rehearsals for local BCHL and KIJHL teams before the regularseason curtain-raisers a week from today.

The Penticton Vees take on the defending BCHL-champion Wenatchee Wild in a preseason home-and-home series.

The Interior Division rivals convene tonight at 7 p.m. in Wenatchee and Saturday at 6 p.m. at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

It’s the first time the Vees and Wild have ever met in the preseason.

As with all Vees’ preseason games at the SOEC, admission is just $5 for adults and free to those 18-and-under.

After Jack LaFontaine got the start in goal and looked impressive in a 6-3 win over the West Kelowna Warriors on Wednesday at the SOEC, rookie Derek Krall will get the call tonight for the Vees.

Vees GM/head coach Fred Harbinson said he hasn’t yet decided on the starter for Saturday’s preseason finale. It will be the last time the Vees play at the SOEC until their home opener Sept. 29 against Alberni Valley.

The Vees open the regular season next Friday (Sept. 7) on the road against the Langley Rivermen.

In the KIJHL, the Summerland Steam welcome the Kelowna Chiefs to the Summerland Arena tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Summerland finishes up its preseason slate by visiting South Okanagan rivals, the Osoyoos Coyotes, on Saturday at 7:35 p.m. at the Sun Bowl Arena.

Osoyoos will play two more exhibition games — one against the Princeton Posse on Labour Day Monday at 5 p.m. at the Sun Bowl, and a visit to Grand Forks to take on the Border Bruins on Tuesday.

Summerland opens the regular season at home next Friday against the Columbia Valley Rockies.

Osoyoos is idle on opening night but hosts the Kamloops Storm on Sept. 8 at Sun Bowl.