Recap: Arnott plays OT hero, Vees comeback to beat Warriors Friday
Photo: Cherie Morgan
The Penticton Vees ended their two-game losing streak Friday, with their 3-2 overtime victory over the West Kelowna Warriors, at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Co-Captain Callum Arnott was the overtime hero, scoring a highlight reel goal between his legs late in the extra frame, as the Vees picked up their first win this season against their rivals. 2,957 fans went home happy, as the Vees won their final home game of 2023 in style.
Larry Keenan and Cade Littler also scored for Penticton, who now sit five points clear of West Kelowna for top spot in the Interior Conference.
Andrew Ness was excellent in net, as he stopped 24 of 26 shots and was named the second star. Ness’ best stop came in the third period, as he stretched post-to-post to make a stunning blocker save without his stick, to rob Jackson Kyrkostas.
Jack Pridham and Michael Salandra scored for the Warriors, who had their eight-game win streak end with the OT loss. West Kelowna’s goaltender Rorke Applebee was named the third star after his 40-save performance.
Keenan put the Vees ahead 1-0 late in the first period, as he scored from between the circles at 13:49 for his second of the season.
West Kelowna tied the game early in the second period, as the Warriors capitalized on a Vees’ line change. Pridham scored from the slot, putting his shot off the post and past Ness.
The game stayed tied until the midway mark of the third, when Salandra gave the Warriors their first lead. Felix Caron forced a turnover on the wall and centered for Salandra, who put the visitors ahead 2-1 at 11:17.
Penticton responded with a game-tying goal just over a minute later. Cade Littler stick handled in tight and stuffed the puck around the sprawled goaltender. The puck appeared to last touch a Warrior stick before bouncing in.
In overtime, Arnott’s heroics came with two and a half minutes to go. The Co-Captain took a pass at the side of the net from Francesco Dell’Elce, before putting the puck between his legs and squeezing it in through the goalie’s arm on the short side.
GAME STATS
West Kelowna 2 at Penticton 3 (OT)
Shots: 43-26, Vees
Vees Scoring: Keenan, Littler, Arnott
Vees Goaltending: Andrew Ness (W) 67:25, 24/26
Power-Plays
Vees: 0/2
Warriors: 0/3
Three Stars:
1) Callum Arnott
2) Andrew Ness
3) Rorke Applebee
NEXT UP: The Vees (20-3-2-2) and Warriors (18-6-3-0) wrap up their pre-Christmas schedule tomorrow at Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna. Fans can watch the game on Flo Hockey TV and listen on Bounce 800 AM. Match Eatery & Public House will also be showing the game.