Vees look to keep perfect record at BCHL Showcase
Penticton to face Surrey, Prince George
The Penticton Vees will take on worst and then first as they look to continue their flawless record at the annual Bauer BCHL Showcase Tournament today to Sunday at Prospera Centre in Chilliwack.
Penticton (1-2-0) faces the winless Surrey Eagles (0-4-0) in the Showcase curtain-raiser today at 10 a.m., and the unbeaten Prince George Spruce Kings (4-0-0) Friday at 4 p.m.
“It’s going to be a good challenge for us,” said Vees GM/head coach Fred Harbinson. “Two very different teams . . . Surrey is an offensively gifted group that is going to be hungry to get their first win. They’ve had a bit of a revolving door in goal, but they’ve got a lot of weapons up front.
“Then you’ve got a veteran Prince George team that is very structured and coming in on a mission after getting to the (BCHL) final last season.”
Harbinson said the Vees will have to “create their own energy” in today’s morning game.
“With the early start and all, it probably won’t be a big crowd,” said Harbinson.
The Vees are an incredible 12-0 in the first six years of the Showcase, which sees all 17 teams play two games that count in the standings in Chilliwack in front of college scouts and recruiters.
Harbinson has a few theories to explain the Vees’ success.
“I just think our staff is so ultraorganized in dealing with a lot of things that aren’t normal . . . they just do such a great job taking care of all the little details,” said Harbinson.
“Having good teams obviously has helped, plus a lot of our guys have their scholarships and commitments wrapped up early on, so there isn’t as much pressure to make a big impression (with the scouts). Whatever it is, we’re obviously hoping it continues this weekend.”
The Vees are coming off a split of a road trip to Cowichan Valley and Victoria and Harbinson said the young group “definitely took a step” in the two games.
“We were much more disciplined and our special teams were greatly improved,” said Harbinson. “We played well and got the win in Cowichan, and I thought we deserved at least a point against a real skilled and fast team in Victoria.”
The coach said the veteran line of David Silye between Lukas Sillinger and Ryan Sandelin continued to show the way with top centres Cassidy Bowes and captain Massimo Rizzo still unavailable due to injuries.
“They know what it takes to play in this league and they’re setting the example — not just in games, but in practice,” said Harbinson. “We had some other guys step up . . . a kid like (Jackson) Niedermayer really impacted the games in the shifts he had on the ice. We’re still tweaking the lines, but you can see it’s starting to come. It’s a process and we knew it would be.”
Harbinson noted the Vees have surrendered a measly 56 shots on goal in the three games, but have given up 11 goals against. “We’ve got two quality goaltenders and we know they’ll continue to get better,” said Harbinson. “I always compared goaltenders to golfers, who need to get in a rhythm to start putting it all together.”
Harbinson said veteran Jack LaFontaine, who backstopped the Vees to the 4-2 win over Cowichan, will get the call versus Surrey.
As for the status of Bowes and Rizzo, Harbinson said the former will be meeting with his specialist in Michigan today to find out if the 19-year-old gets clearance to resume full-contact practice with the Vees.
“We think he will, which means Cassidy could play the following weekend (Sept. 28 in Merritt and the Sept. 29 home opener versus Alberni Valley),” said Harbinson.
But the Rizzo situation remains nebulous.
The gifted 17-year-old injured his lower back during off-season training and is yet to lace up the skates since. He remains away from the team as he tries to rehab from the injury.
“I know everyone is wondering about it, but I don’t have a lot of answers at this point,” said Harbinson. “I am sure Massimo is pretty frustrated as well, but back injuries aren’t something you want to mess with. Hopefully we’ll got some positive news on it soon.”
It’s a double-whammy for Rizzo, an elite prospect who is coming into his NHL draft year in 2019.
ICE CHIPS: The Vees made a move this week, dealing D Trevor Isaksson to the Nanaimo Clippers for future considerations. Isaksson had yet to appear in a game and the Vees had to make room on the roster to activate F Bowes from injured reserve. Isaksson, an 18-year-old from North Delta, appeared in four games for the Vees as an affiliated player in 2017-18. He had 14 goals and 36 points in 36 games with the Valley West Hawks of the B.C. Major Midget Hockey League in 2017-18. Harbinson