Vees still have to win ‘hardest’ game

Penticton can raise Fred Page Cup with win Saturday in Chilliwack

While acknowledging it is one of the ultimate sports clichés, Fred Harbinson decided he was going to utilize it anyway. “Winning that fourth game in a series, especially when you’re playing for a championship, is the hardest to get,” said the Penticton Vees GM and head coach. “We’re this close to a championship and we want to finish it off.”

The Vees, leading the Fred Page Cup final 3-1 over the Chilliwack Chiefs after a thrilling 4-3 overtime win Wednesday in Penticton, get a chance to seal the deal in Game 5 Saturday at 7 p.m. at Prospera Centre in Chilliwack.

“We’re playing an outstanding team in a very tough building,” said Harbinson. “We’ve got to play a full 60 minutes — or however long it takes to get the job done.”

Should a Game 6 be required, it would be played Monday at the SOEC.

The second full two-day break in the series was necessitated because of the Interior RV Show being held this weekend at the SOEC. With the Chiefs looking tired and overwhelmed by the Vees’ speed and four-line depth, the days off are no doubt welcomed by the reeling Coastal Conference champs.

“It probably plays in their favour a bit more with the extra rest, but we get a chance to get some rest ourselves,” said Harbinson. “We’ve played two straight seven-game series and a lot of playoff hockey in the last month.”

Harbinson said the focus isn’t simply on ending the series as quickly as possible.

“We’ve got a chance to hoist a trophy, and of course we’d love to do it on Saturday,” said Harbinson, who could become the first coach in BCHL history to win four championships.

Harbinson acknowledged the Vees have to find a way to slow down Chiefs star Jordan Kawaguchi. The 19-year-old has been in on nine of the 10 goals scored by Chilliwack in the series and has 36 points in 20 postseason games.

“Not many guys have been able to do that to us over the last few years,” said Harbinson. “He’s a special player with a nose for the net. We can’t make any mental errors when he’s on the ice.”

ICE CHIPS: Vees D Griffin Mendel, who had a goal and three assists in four games, was named the BCHL Player of the Week . . . . The five-team field for the Western Canada Cup, April 29 to May 7 at the SOEC, is finalized with the host Vees, Chilliwack, Alberta league champions Brooks Bandits, Saskatchewan league champs Battlefords North Stars and Manitoba league champs Portage Terriers set to take part.