Vipers and Vees win big as Warriors lose a pair
Vernon won a pair on Vancouver Island, West Kelowna dropped a pair in the Kootenays, and the Penticton Vees slipped into second place overall during weekend action in the B.C. Hockey League.
Vernon won 6-4 against Victoria Friday and 9-2 against Cowichan Saturday.
The Vipers (24-14-1-0) now own fourth place in the Interior Conference standings with 49 points, just three back of the third-place Salmon Arm Silverbacks (25-12-0-2).
West Kelowna lost 2-1 in overtime Friday in Cranbrook, then fell 6-4 against Trail on Saturday.
The Warriors (24-9-7-0) are in second place in the Interior Conference with 55 points, five back of the Penticton Vees.
The Vees (28-7-2-2) played just once, an 8-0 shutout of the visiting Prince George Spruce Kings on Saturday, and are now two points behind the Coastal Conference-leading Surrey Eagles (30-5-2-0) for first overall in the BCHL.
Surrey’s leading scorers, Caden Cranston and Aaron Schwartz, were first and second in the BCHL scoring race as of Monday morning with 59 and 50 points, respectively.
Felix Caron of the Warriors was in a twoway tie for third with 24 goals and 49 points.
Penticton’s leading scorer, Callum Arnott, was eight on the list with 22 goals and 40 points, while Vernon’s top scorer Owen Kim was just one spot behind him with 12 goals and 39 points.
Surrey’s starting netminder, Ajeet Gundarah, leads all BCHL goaltenders with a 1.85 goals-against average. Following him are Vees’ goalies Will Ingemann (1.89) and Andrew Ness (2.10).
All three of the Okanagan’s BCHL teams entered the weekend following minor roster moves head of the trade deadline on Friday.
Penticton dealt B.C.-born defenceman Jack Bakker to the Sherwood Park on on
Crusaders for future considerations. The 16-year-old recorded no points in 20 games with the Vees this season.
West Kelowna sent Manitoba-born defenceman Zhenya Miles to the Vernon Vipers for future considerations. The 17-year-old scored four points in 24 games with the Warriors this season.
Vernon turned around and sent Quebec-born defenceman Isaac Fecteau to the Trail Some Eaters in exchange for future considerations, then picked up forward Ewan McPherson from the Brooks Bandits in exchange for future considerations.
Fectau, 18, has five points in 22 games this season. McPherson, 19, has 29 points in 44 games.
Following the trade deadline, BCHL teams are now down to 25-player rosters. The league’s 54-game regular season ends March 31.
Cranbrook 2,
West Kelowna 1 (OT) Despite enjoying a big advantage in shots, the West Kelowna Warriors couldn’t find a way to score more than once in a 2-1 overtime loss Friday in Cranbrook (18-23-2-0).
Following a scoreless first period, Blake Cotton put the Bucks ahead 1-0 with just a few minutes left in the second period. Jack Pridham made it 1-1 about midway through the third period to set up the extra frame.
And, with just 16 seconds left in the 10-minute overtime, Jacob Fletcher scored to end it for Cranbrook.
The Warriors, who started netminder Rorke Applebee, had a 40-25 edge in shots over the Bucks, who started Carter Capton.
Vernon 6, Victoria 4
Ethan David stopped 46 shots as his Vernon Vipers erased an early one-goal deficit and escaped Victoria (21-17-0-1) with a 6-4 win on Friday night. Vernon was outshot 50-23, but made the most of their chances and led 3-2 and 4-2 at the intermissions.
Erik Pastro, Carson McGinley, Luke Pakulak, Owen Kim, Shea Busch and Hank Cleaves – into an empty net with 17 seconds left on the clock – all tallied for Vernon.
Jackson Hungle, Oliver Genest, Julian Cull and Reegan Hiscock replied for Victoria.
Penticton 8, Prince George 0
The Prince George Spruce Kings (13-233-0) mustered just 10 shots in an 8-0 shutout loss Saturday at the hands of the host Penticton Vees.
And it was certainly the easiest of Vees goaltender Will Ingemann’s BCHL-leading four shutouts this season, as his team led 2-0 and 6-0 at the intermissions.
Vees captain Callum Arnott scored twice, while Billy Renfrew carded four assists. Nolan Stevenson, Larry Keenan, Cade Littler, Conyr Hellyer, Anselmo Rego and James Fisher also scored for Penticton, which had a 44-10 edge in shots.
Charlie Zolin took the loss in the Spruce Kings’ net.
The Vees are getting set for a twogame home stand this coming weekend with Vernon visiting Friday at 7 p.m. and
West Kelowna rolling in Saturday at 6 p.m.
Vernon 9, Cowichan Valley 2 Georgios Stavrianeas collected four points as the Vernon Vipers pummelled the host Cowichan Valley Capitals (11-252-1) by a 9-2 score on Saturday.
Stavrianeas scored two goals, both within the first 4:16 of the first period, which the Vipers ended with a 4-1 lead. Vernon led 8-2 after two periods.
Stavrianeas also added a pair of helpers, while defenceman Carson McGinely had three assists.
Hank Cleaves, with two, and Luke Bibby, Adam Csabi, Hank Cleaves, Erik Pastro, Isaac Tremblay and Etienne Lessard scored for the Vipers.
Matteo Lamoureux and Matthew Swanson replied for the Capitals.
Vernon outshot Cowichan Valley 38-32. Colin Reay picked up the win in Vernon’s net, while Capitals’ netminders Ethan Morrow and Cody Butikis split the loss.
The Vipers return to the ice Friday in Penticton, then host Salmon Arm on Saturday night.
Trail 6,
West Kelowna 4
It took the host Trail Smoke Eaters (20-14-6-0) just 21 seconds to score and set the stage for a 6-4 win on Saturday night against the visiting West Kelowna Warriors.
The Warriors trailed 3-1 and 4-2 at the intermissions, and couldn’t get any closer than that.
Jack Pridham, Felix Caron, Michael Salandra and Johannes Lokkeberg all scored for West Kelowna, who started netminder Matthew DellaRusso.
Ridge Dawson, with a pair, and Adam Barone, Mathieu Cobetto-Roy, Jason Stefanek and Chase Stefanek replied for Trail, who started netminder Ryan Parker. Trail had a 30-28 edge in shots. West Kelowna is back in action Friday to host the Salmon Arm Silverbacks, then visits Penticton on Saturday.
QUESTION: A woman I know recently lost her brother. I was friends with him when we were little kids, and I’ve been friends with her forever. We’re not besties, but we’re very happy to see each other when we do, and we have long talks on the phone.
I heard the news two days after it happened and called her right away. I left her a message that didn’t require a response. The next day I followed up with mutual friends for details on the funeral and other celebrations of life.
I didn’t hear from her that day, so called her again the next day. Again, she didn’t answer, so I left her another message. I also sent her a text in case she wasn’t listening to her messages.
I knew the funeral was in another two days, so I texted her again offering my help in any way she needed. I never heard from her. I assumed she was wrapped up in family and details and mourning. I went to the funeral and back to her house afterwards. We hugged and cried, and then she asked where
I’d been.
She hadn’t received any of my messages! Now I feel like a fool. How can I make it up to her?
– Sad Friend
ANSWER: I’m sad for you and for the several other people writing to us lately about loss.
Everyone grieves differently. There’s no right or wrong way to do anything around loss unless you ignore it completely.
And your grief language may differ from your friends, and may even differ from loss to loss, depending on your relationship with the deceased.
When the time is right, and emotions are less pronounced, you can show your friend your messages on her phone. In the meantime, ask her what she needs/ wants from you in a loving way. Offer to take her for a walk, to just sit with her and talk about her brother, to go through photos. Offer help with food prep, shopping, meals. Offer whatever you have in you to do.
FEEDBACK: Regarding the woman feeling awkward about the gifts she receives at the holidays:
READER: I suggest to just be grateful and pay it forward. There are many hospitals, rehab facilities and seniors and long-term care facilities that would welcome such gifts. Unfortunately, I have seen how many seniors have been abandoned in such facilities by their families. Some flowers to brighten up their room would always be welcome, no matter what time of year.
LISI: Yes, great idea! Gracefully showing gratitude because it is the thought that counts. And then paying it forward. Best response.
FEEDBACK: Regarding the woman with a guilty conscience.
READER: This woman has a guilty conscience because she is guilty! Her parents risk injury babysitting her daughter so much. This mom has some nerve expecting these grandparents, who are over 70, to take care of her child. She should be taking care of them instead!
But that won’t happen because they will probably be thrown in a nursing home. If she and her husband are busy with their careers, they should make alternate arrangements and pay for daycare instead of expecting free babysitting.
LISI: I added this reader’s response because I found it so strongly juxtaposed to other responses, especially from one woman who called me ageist for assuming the grandparents were too tired to babysit.
It proves the point that everyone reads these columns and interprets the story according to their own narrative. Including me. I just try to find the balance. In this case, I wasn’t suggesting she disallow her parents to babysit, nor do I see anything wrong with her asking them to spend time with their grandchildren. Life is about balance.
FEEDBACK: Regarding the woman who was sad and lonely:
READER: Your advice was spot on. I also suggest senior activity facilities, such as the one in my hometown of Peterborough (Activity Haven) which is partly supported by the city and the province and is specifically designed to help older adults keep active and socializing.
There are drop-in programs for people who like to play cards, billiards, discuss current events, play table tennis, throw darts, do wood carving, quilt, hook rugs, Swedish weaving, play guitar, shuffleboard, board games or go walking as a group.
There are instructional programs to learn guitar, line dancing, take yoga or learn to paint.
There are special events, including lunch twice a week, bus trips to theatres, concerts, etc. Most cities have such facilities and cost is very reasonable. Programs are geared to seniors and are very cost friendly.
Ellie Tesher and Lisi Tesher are advice columnists for the Toronto Star. Send your relationship questions via email:
ellie@thestar.ca or lisi@thestar.ca