GAME PREVIEW: Vees Look For 6th Consecutive Win, Host Spruce Kings To Begin Three-Game Home Stand
PHOTO: Cherie Morgan/Cherie Morgan Photography
The Penticton Vees (37-7-0-2) look for their 6th consecutive victory and open a three-game home stand as they host the Prince George Spruce Kings (25-12-3-8) on Friday night at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE VS. PRINCE GEORGE
Wednesday, October 26th @ Rolling Mix Concrete Arena (7-1 Spruce Kings) (BOXSCORE)
Friday, October 29th @ South Okanagan Events Centre (3-0 Vees) (BOXSCORE)
Wednesday, December 1st @ Rolling Mix Concrete Arena (5-1 Vees) (BOXSCORE)
Wednesday, January 19th @ Rolling Mix Concrete Arena (6-2 Spruce Kings) (BOXSCORE)
Saturday, February 19th @ South Okanagan Events Centre (3-2 Spruce Kings) (BOXSCORE)
Friday, March 4th @ South Okanagan Events Centre (7:00 PM)
The Vees come into Friday night’s game against the Spruce Kings looking to earn their 6th consecutive win after a 4-2 triumph over the Merritt Centennials on Wednesday night at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena. Ethan Mann, Spencer Smith, Aydar Suniev and Ryan Hopkins all scored in the victory while Carter Serhyenko made 23 saves on 25 shots in collecting his 5th win of the season.
It’s been quite the battle between Penticton and Prince George in their season series so far this campaign as the Vees fell in the last matchup against the two squads, dropping a 3-2 score in mid-February at the South Okanagan Events Centre despite playing one of their better games of the season. Stefano Bottini and Aydar Suniev each found the back of the net in the opening period with PG coming back to score three goals for the win. Kaeden Lane got the start in goal for the Vees, turning aside 21 of the 24 shots thrown his way in the loss.
Vees Leading Scorers:
Josh Nadeau (35-26-61)
Luc Wilson (23-37-60)
Bradly Nadeau (16-21-37)
Fin Williams (12-25-37)
Brett Moravec (18-15-33)
The Vees are in the midst of playing their best hockey of the season, having won 16 of their 17 games with the lone loss in that stretch coming to these Spruce Kings back in the middle of February. Penticton has outscored their opposition by a 76-33 margin during that span, including a stretch of 10 consecutive victories on the road.
Points in four of his last five games has seen Vees forward Ethan Mann on a strong wave of offence as of late. The University of Wisconsin commit has registered three goals and three assists for six points in that time, including collecting a goal and an assist on Wednesday night in Merritt.
Penticton’s power play comes into the game on Friday night looking to continue their success as of late after a pair of goals on the man advantage on Wednesday in the Nicola Valley. The Vees power play has scored in each of the last three games, going for 4-for-17 during that stretch and sitting 4th in the league with a 24.2% power play on the season, leading the BC Hockey League in goals with an extra man at 49.
The Prince George Spruce Kings come into Friday night’s matchup against the Vees following a 2-0 loss to the Vernon Vipers on Wednesday night at Kal Tire Place in the North Okanagan. The shutout was the third against the Spruce Kings this season with Aaron Trotter turning aside 13 of the 15 shots thrown his way in his 9th loss of the season.
Spruce Kings Scoring Leaders:
Nick Rheaume (24-28-52)
John Herrington (21-26-47)
Rowan Miller (21-19-40)
Simon Labelle (9-29-38)
Luc Laylin (12-16-28)
Securing a scholarship to the University of Alaska-Anchorage, Spruce Kings forward Rowan Miller has had a strong last couple of weeks while also earning points in four of his last five contests. The Scottsdale, Arizona native has collected two goals and two assists for four points over that span while playing in 166 career BCHL games between the Spruce Kings and Powekk River Kings, scoring 41 goals and 82 points.
The play of Spruce Kings goaltender Aaron Trotter has been very strong this season as the St. Thomas University was named second star of the month by the BCHL for an outstanding February. The Victoria, BC native went 6-1-2 in the month, boasting a 1.70 goals against average and a .941 save percentage to go along with one shutout. Trotter ranks 3rd in the league in GAA at 1.91 as well as 5th in SV% at .920 while earning 2 shutouts on the season.
The Vees and Spruce Kings battle for the final time in the regular season with a 7:00 PM puck drop on Friday night from the South Okanagan Events Centre. It’s Pucks and Paws Night as BCSPCA, CritterAid, Happy Tails and Alert will all be on hand to collect donations with tickets available for purchase at the Valley First Box Office at the SOEC as well as online at valleyfirsttix.com.