Vees dominant in road win over Merritt
Penticton coming on strong, dismantles division leader 6-1
James Miller made a case for the defence as the Penticton Vees blitzed the Merritt Centennials for the third straight time this season.
The 20-year-old blueliner produced his first BCHL hat-trick as the Vees thumped the Interior Division leaders 6-1 on Friday at the Nicola Valley Arena. Ryan Sandelin racked up a goal and three assists for the Vees (9-5-2), who have won the three meetings with Merritt by a combined 18-6.
Eric Linell scored twice — including a shorthanded marker — and Connor Hutchinson added two helpers for Penticton.
Ryan Van Unen scored on a 5-on-3 power play for Merritt (11-8-0) in the second period, but by then the hosts were down 5-0. Miller and Sandelin scored in a 61-second span early in the first and the rout was on. Miller made it 3-0 before the period ended and completed the hatty on a two-man power play 8:57 into the second.
Jack LaFontaine made 32 saves for the win. Austin Roden surrendered the first five Vees goals before being replaced by Vincent Duplessis.
The Vees, now just two points behind Merritt with three games in hand, had 32 shots on goal.
The Vees are back home to face the West Kelowna Warriors tonight at 6 p.m. Captain/centre Massimo Rizzo will make his season debut for the Vees and defenceman Kenny Johnson returns after serving a three-game suspension.
WARRIORS 4 SILVERBACKS 1
Goals by Lucas Cullen, Mike Hardman, Bennett Norlin and Calvin Tilsley gave West Kelowna the victory over visiting Salmon Arm. Yewta Plamondon replied for the Silverbacks (8-7-1), who had a 35-32 edge in shots on goal. West Kelowna, which led 2-1 and 3-1 at the breaks, improved to 9-7-1.
KINGS 3 VIPERS 2 (SO)
Mitchell Williams and Matt Fawcett scored in the shootout as Powell River defeated visiting Vernon. Hayden Missler stopped the two shooters he faced for the Kings.
Jagger Williamson tied the game with 22 seconds left in regulation to force overtime and Sebastian Streu also scored for Vernon (6-5-5).
Fawcett and Ryan Brushett scored for the Kings (10-6-0), who outshot Vernon 35-26.
The Vipers close out their two-game road trip tonight against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.