vees:blog

The Penticton Vees are looking forward to a day away from rink after stomping the Prince George Spruce Kings 7-0 to close a busy weekend of hockey.

Eric Filiou netted his 12th of the year on Sunday

Sunday night’s match was the Vees third in as many days, fourth in six nights, and leaves the team with just three games remaining in the regular season.

Beau Bennett and Sean Bonar were big in the win and help keep the club just two points back of Vernon heading into a gigantic game on Wednesday against the Vipers at the SOEC.

The Vees scored very early on Sunday, with Ben Sexton banging in his breakaway rebound 35 seconds into the game. Five and a half minutes later Eric Filiou scored his second in as many nights on a wrist shot from the left circle to chase Andrew Walsh from the Prince George net just 6:19 into the game and put the Vees up 2-0.

In the second period Alex Szczechura scored his first of two goals on the night as he stuffed in a rebound on the power play, to stretch the lead to three for the home side. Matt Paltridge and Beau Bennett would also add power play markers before the end of the second period and the Vees were up 5-0 at the break.

The third period saw Sean Bonar make twelve of his 26 saves, including his finest few of the night to help him earn his fourth shutout of the season. Bonar is (27-8-0) in this his second BCHL season.

Garrett Milan’s 28th of the year and Alex Szczechura’s 26th rounded out the scoring in the final frame.

Beau Bennett continued his dazzling play this week adding a goal and three assists to move him just a pair back of Mark Zengerle for the BCHL lead in points. Bennett’s goal came on the power play late in the second period where he popped the water bottle with a one-time slap shot. The rookie from L.A. has compiled an incredible fourteen points in four games this week.

17-year-old Joey LaLeggia had two assists in the win to keep his point streak alive and up to eighteen games. LaLeggia leads all BCHL defenders with 60 points this season in just 50 games played.

Kyle Nielsen ended the night with five goals allowed in relief of Andrew Walsh. The Vees peppered the tandem with 47 shots, and officially eliminated the Spruce Kings from playoff contention with the win.

Special teams were just that for the Vees as they finished with four power play markers on eight opportunities, and killed off all five Prince George man advantages.

Next up for the Vees is the final meeting of the regular season against the Vernon Vipers. Wednesday at 7:05 one of junior hockey’s hottest rivalries will be back on ice at the South Okanagan Events Centre. Tickets are available at the SOEC box office, ValleyFirstTix.com, London Drugs and White Spot.

Catch the Underwriters Insurance Pre-game show at 6:40 on EZ Rock, MyEZRock.com or at BCHL.ca

Ryan Pinder is the play-by-play voice of the Penticton Vees. Tune in Monday Night from 6:05 to 7:00 on EZ Rock for more Vees talk on Boston Pizza Vees This Week