Vees prevail in Merritt 6-3

The acquisition of two 20-year-old forwards this week paid instant dividends for the Penticton Vees.

Brendan Harrogate scored twice and Andre Ghantous had a power-play goal as the Vees downed the Merritt Centennials 6-3 in B.C. Hockey League action on Friday at the Nicola Valley Arena.

Mason Snell, Matthew Byrne and Ryan Sandelin also scored for the Vees (3-3-0), who led 4-0 and 5-1 at the period breaks. Harrogate and Byrne scored in a 53-second span midway through the first period to give the Vees a commanding 3-0 lead.

Bradley Cocca, Brendan Schneider and Rylan Van Unen scored for Merritt (4-4-0).

Derek Krall made 36 saves to get his first win for the Vees.

The Vees take on the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in their home opener tonight at 6 p.m. at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

Warriors 5 Silverbacks 3: Willie Reim had a hat-trick and Mike Hardman scored the winner with 3:56 left as West Kelowna beat Salmon Arm at Royal LePage Place for their fourth straight win.

Parm Dhaliwal also scored for the Warriors (5-3-0), who moved into first place in the tightly congested Interior Division.

The teams do battle again tonight at 7 p.m. in Salmon Arm.

Vipers 2 Wild 0: Second-period goals by Connor Marritt and Jack Judson gave Vernon (3-2-2) the victory over Wenatchee at Kal Tire Place.

Aidan Porter made 34 saves for the shutout, while Austin Park stopped 22 shots for the Wild (4-4).

Vernon stays at home to take on Merritt tonight at 6 p.m.