Game Recap: Vees strong start leads to split in Prince George
Photo: Vicki Brown
PRINCE GEORGE, BC. – The Penticton Vees earned a weekend split up north on Saturday, as they picked up a 3-1 win over the Prince George Spruce Kings at Kop Memorial Arena.
The Vees win comes on the heels of Friday’s 7-4 defeat to the Spruce Kings. With the win, and West Kelowna’s loss to Cranbrook on Saturday, the Vees move back into sole possession of first place in the Interior.
All the offence came in the first period in Saturday’s win. Co-Captain Thomas Pichette, Ryan MacPherson, and Francesco Dell’Elce scored in the opening frame, as Penticton led 3-1 after 20 minutes.
Pichette had the icebreaker at 4:57 of the first, as he scored from one knee in front of the Prince George net, as his ninth made it 1-0.
The Spruce Kings tied the game midway through the frame and their goal was somewhat shrouded in controversy. Brogan McNeil was credited with his second goal of the season at 12:15. McNeil’s shot right off a face-off in the Vees’ end went upstairs over the shoulder of Ingemann. It appeared to have hit the crossbar, but referee signaled a goal.
Penticton didn’t let the goal rattle them, as they responded by scoring 10 seconds later to retake the lead. Ryan MacPherson scored off the ensuing face-off, as he took the puck down into the Prince George zone and tucked it up upstairs over the glove of Spruce Kings’ starter Charlie Zolin. MacPherson’s 12th of the season made it 2-1 at 12:25.
Dell’Elce added an insurance marker inside the final minute of the opening period. On a Vees’ five-on-three power play, Dell’Elce forced his shot from the slot through the pads of Zolin at 19:19, as his eighth goal made it 3-1.
Will Ingemann was rock solid over the final forty minutes as he stopped 16 shots in the last two periods and finished with 20 saves for his 14th win of the season. Saturday was Ingemann’s first win since December 2nd.
Charlie Zolin started for Prince George but was replaced by Ryan Sanborn at the start of the second period. Zolin conceded three goals on 10 shots. Sanborn stopped all 17 shots he faced over the final two periods.
Penticton is now 4-1-0-0 in five games against Prince George this season. The two teams wrap up their six-game season series February 10th at the SOEC.
GAME NOTES
Ryan MacPherson’s goal was his first in eight games, as he last scored on December 6th against Merritt. Thomas Pichette now has four goals and nine points in five games against Prince George this season. Penticton has now scored nine power play goals in five games against the Spruce Kings.
GAME STATS
Penticton 3 at Prince George 1
Shots: 27-21, Vees
Vees Scoring: Pichette, R. MacPherson, Dell’Elce
Vees Goaltending:
Will Ingemann (W) 60:00 20/21
Power-Plays
Vees: 1/5
Spruce Kings 0/4
Three Stars:
1) Francesco Dell’Elce
2) Ryan Sanborn
3) Will Ingemann
NEXT GAME: The Vees (22-6-2-2) return home on Friday, January 12th, to face the Vernon Vipers (19-11-1-0) at the SOEC; puck drop is 7:00 pm. Tickets are available at the Valley First box office or online at www.valleyfirsttix.com