Vees push Vipers to brink
Following play Tuesday night, the Penticton Vees were one game away from sweeping the Vernon Vipers, while the Salmon Arm Silverbacks held a slim lead against the West Kelowna Warriors in the second round of the B.C. Hockey League
The Vees blanked the Vipers 4-0 on Tuesday and held a 3-0 series lead ahead of Game 4 on Wednesday night in Vernon.
Meanwhile, the Silverbacks edged the Warriors 2-1 on Tuesday and held a 2-1 series lead ahead of Game 4 on Wednesday night in Salmon Arm.
The winners of each series will face off in the Interior Conference finals.
Over in the Coastal Conference, the Surrey Eagles and Victoria Grizzlies are tied 2-2, ahead of Game 5 on Thursday night in Surrey.
And the Alberni Valley Bulldogs had a 3-0 advantage against the Chilliwack Chiefs, ahead of Game 4 on Wednesday night in Alberni Valley.
Penticton 4, Vernon 0
Will Ingemann needed to make just 14 stops to record his second shutout of the BCHL playoffs as the Penticton Vees blanked the Vernon Vipers 4-0 on Tuesday night to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.
Thomas Pichette fired what held up as the game winner just six minutes into the game, in front of 1,750 fans at Kal Tire Place, while the Vipers managed just two shots in the third period of what was a one-sided affair.
Callum Arnott, Simon Meier and Conyr Hellyer also tallied for Penticton.
Ethan David turned aside 31 of 34 shots in Vernon’s crease.
The Vees, who are seeking a third consecutive Fred Page Cup as BCHL playoff champions, have won seven straight to start the post-season.
Game 4 was set for Wednesday night in Vernon.
Game 5, if necessary, is Friday night in Penticton beginning at 7 p.m..
Salmon Arm 2, W. Kelowna 1 Eli Pulver turned aside 41 shots as his Salmon Arm Silverbacks hung on for a 2-1 win against the West Kelowna Warriors on Tuesday night to take an identical 2-1 lead in their second-round BCHL playoff series.
Pulver faced 18 shots in the second period alone, while his club managed just 16 shots on the night in front of 1,035 hometown fans at the Shaw Centre.
But the game was decided in the first period, after Jona Aegerter and Cole Cooksey staked the ‘Backs to an early 2-0 lead.
Jack Pridham replied for the Warriors late in the second period, but that’s as close as they would get. Matthew DellaRusso took the loss in West Kelowna’s net.
Game 4 was set for Wednesday night in Salmon Arm. Game 5 is Friday in West Kelowna at 7 p.m.
Games were still in progress at our press deadline. For immediate results visit: kelownadailycourier.ca or pentictonherald.ca. For those without internet access, phone 250-490-0880, ext. 300 for a recorded message.