Vees win high-scoring rematch over Warriors to salvage midweek split
It took four tries, but the Penticton Vees finally solved the West Kelowna Warriors.
On the strength of a three-goal first period, the Vees hung on for a 7-4 win Wednesday night against the Warriors in front of an announced crowd of 2,880 at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Ryan Sandelin scored twice, and Jack Barnes, Massimo Rizzo, Eric Linell, Cassidy Bowes and Cole Shepard also bulged the twine for Penticton.
Lucas Cullen, with two, and Willie Reim and Mike Hardman replied for the visiting Warriors.
Derek Krall picked up the win for the Vees, while Connor Hopkins, who inherited a 3-0 deficit from Warriors starter Brock Baier just seven minutes in, took the loss.
Once into the second period, the teams traded goals the rest of the way in what was a high-flying night that saw the Vees outshoot the Warriors 45-30.
West Kelowna (15-9-0-1) now leads the season series 3-1.
The Vees (14-7-1-2) are back on the ice Saturday at home against the Victoria Grizzlies (15-7-0-1).
TRAIL 3, VERNON 2
At Trail, Kent Johnson scored the winner with 5:27 to play, while Carter Jones and Hayden Rowan also tallied for the Smoke Eaters in a 3-2 win over the Vernon Vipers.
Matt Kowalski and Jack Judson scored for Vernon.
Trail (9-10-4-2) outshot Vernon (8-8-6-2) by a 37-32 margin.
WENATCHEE 3, MERRITT 2
At Merritt, Matt Gosiewski, Jacob Moddy and Matt Dorsey all lit the lamp as the Wenatchee Wild outlasted the Merritt Centennials 3-2.
Matthew Kopperud rang up both goals for the Cents.
Wenatchee (13-9-2-0) put 36 shots on net, compared to 27 for Merritt (15-9-0-1).
TIED AT THE TOP
Just seven points now separate first from last in the Interior Division standings.
Wednesday’s win lifted the Vees into a three-way tie with Merritt and West Kelowna atop the division with 31 points apiece.
Wenatchee is in second with 28 points, followed closely by Salmon Arm with 27, and Vernon and Trail with 24 each.