vees:blog

Denver Manderson’s four-point night and Garrett Milan’s hat trick helped the Vees blow out Merritt 9-1 on Saturday night in Penticton. The Vees earned their 10th win of the year and a slight measure of revenge on the Centennials, who beat the Vees in their only previous meeting of the season.

Beau Bennett had a goal and two helpers and Matt Paltrigdge, Joey LaLeggia, Eric Filiou and Jake Johnson each had two point nights as the Vees offense had an explosive outing in front of 1200 delighted fans.

It was 5-0 Vees after a single period, there were four fights in the second frame and Merritt Centennial Derek Hills finally spoiled Joel Rumpel’s shutout bid in the third period on a breakaway deke.

The shot clock was also tilted the Vees way on this night as the home side mustered 52 shots as compared to the Cents 24. 17-year-old net-minder Keith Hamilton was yanked from the game 7:22 into the first period as he surrendered three goals on ten shots. Next in net for the Cents was Penticton product Cole Holowenko who stopped 36 of 42 guided his way.

Joel Rumpel’s 23 saves got him his third win in four games this year. The only loss Rumpel has suffered was against the Centennials in Merritt.

The Vees went 2/6 on the power play and killed of the lone minor they were assessed.

Manderson and Bennett are now sitting 1-2 in league scoring with the pair each having double digit goal and assist totals just 14 games into the season. Garrett Milan now sits 6th in league scoring with 17 points in just 11 games.

The Vees are now (6-0-0-1) on home ice, and sit atop the Interior Conference with the Vernon Vipers holding 3 games in hand while sitting 3 points back.

The Vees now have 10 days without a game and will break for two days before resuming practice. October 21st the Vees hit the ice again as they open an island road swing with a game in Bear Mountain Arena against the Victoria Grizzlies.

VEES vs. VIPERS

Great to see over 2000 fans at the SOEC last night. Though the game was certainly not ‘wide-open’ (it never is with Vernon’s emphasis on defense), you could see that the skill level was very high on both sides of the ice. Both teams had a fair amount of quality chances (the Vees hit two posts and Trupp missed a yawning cage, and Bonar made multiple big stops on redirected Vernon shots) and those in attendance weren’t disappointed with the quality of hockey and were treated to an extra period.

Denver Manderson’s season long point streak was halted at 12 games. The Vees captain had a glorious chance to stretch his productive run to 13 games in the first period, but could not convert.

Dylan Walchuk impressed me immensely last night. Just 17-years-old and in his first year of Jr. ‘A’, Dylan was noticeable every time he stepped on the ice. Northern Michigan has found a good one in Walchuk.

A note on the three star selection process - we in the broadcast booth (Chad Campbell, Al Formo and myself) are given a sheet to fill out with 3 minutes left in the game. Last night it was tied 1-1 when we had to select the stars. Certainly if we had named the stars following the game’s finish Rob Short would have been on the list and the Vipers would have had two of three stars. It’s not an easy thing to do while you are trying to broadcast a game, never mind when the game’s outcome hasn’t been determined yet, and we probably look a touch silly today because of it.

We called Rob Short a ‘Vees killer’ in the pre-game show last night and in his first game back from injury he certainly lived up to the billing as his OT shot bounced in off a sprawling Vees defender in front of Bonar. ‘Bones’ has allowed just 3 goals in his last 3 games (182 minutes and 30 seconds) and two have banked in off defenders.

Jake Johnson had a heck of a debut for the Vees, as he was full speed all night long and looked very comfy in his new surroundings. His shot off the crossbar in the third period was a laser!

These two clubs won’t meet again until December, I can’t wait!

CENTENNIALS VISIT VEES TONIGHT

Expect a change of pace with the Merritt Centennials in town tonight. While the Vipers have surrendered less than two points a game to their opponents the Cents haven’t been nearly as stingy. Merritt has allowed over 5 goals a game and are tied with Trail as the easiest team to score against in the BCHL.

The Vees lost 5-4 in Merritt two weeks ago with Ben Sexton, Sean Bonar, Garrett Milan, and Joey LaLeggia absent from the contest.

The Vees have killed off 18 consecutive penalties taken heading into tonight’s action and are up to 78% on the year.

Joel Rumpel gets the nod tonight for the Vees. The rookie net-minder’s only loss came in Merritt on the 29th of September, where Joel had a less than stellar outing.

The Vees have ten days with no hockey after tonight’s home game. The Vees next action is on the 21st of October in Victoria, as they make their trip only to Vancouver Island all season. Anything but two points tonight would leave a bitter taste in the mouth and too much time to look in the mirror… Not the best use of a break in the schedule.

THANKSGIVING

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving to all who have stopped by the Vees Blog. While I’ll miss the big bird with the family in Calgary this weekend, I’m heading back to the City of Cow on Tuesday for some quality time with the fam.

All the best to you and yours on Thanksgiving, as Vees fans we certainly have been treated to quite an opening of the season. Be with the ones you love and enjoy the stuffing, gravy and pumpkin pie!

For the Vees Thanksgiving traditions be sure to tune into ‘Boston Pizza Vees This Week’ on Monday night, as we find out what’s on the dinner table around across the country at the homes of the Vees. It’s mouthwatering radio!

Dan Marshall updates us on the opening three days of the National Championships from Victoria where the Kingston Voyageurs and the Summerside Western Capitals have struggled against their Western counter-parts.

You can catch the aformentioned voice of the Nanaimo Clippers calling the non-BCHL games here.

Here’s how the action has played out thus far. We could have an all BCHL final on tap.

The staff at the Times-Colonist (Victoria fish-wrap) are all over the RBC including fashion trends, love of the snakes, and of course the home team’s rebound.

Listen Now:

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Happy Holidays! The Vees Blog is ramped up for the final 21 games of the season… THE STRETCH DRIVE!

From here on out points seem to be that much more valuable, and palms that much sweatier come the third period.

What’s done is done, over the next 7 and half weeks we’ll find out who has home ice, who is clinging by fingernails, who can make the big trade, and who is the team to beat heading into the playoffs.

WEDNESDAY the Vees look to celebrate NYE by continuing their home success over the Trail Smoke Eaters. Johnny Reid is playing a NYE show at the Convention Centre following the game, and you can buy tix for both at a discount (take a taxi not your truck).

FRIDAY is a lock to be one of the biggest crowds of the season at the SOEC as CBC’s TV Cameras will be rolling in Penticton as our fair city attempts to win the annual billing of the top hockey town in the nation otherwise known as KRAFT HOCKEYVILLE 2009! Tix are just $5, and minor hockey players wearing their jerseys will be admitted free of charge (yes, you read that correctly)!

SATURDAY the Vees host the Prince George Spruce Kings and former Vees forward Vinny Muchalla. The Vees have won each of the 3 meetings between the clubs this season.

It’s nearly 2009! Hope you have some bubbly on ice.

The Vees are currently leading the BCHL in average attendance, but the way they are drawing, don’t expect that to last.

The Vees opened their home schedule with a single game at Memorial Arena (1986 fans) before the first ever game at the SOEC (4485 fans).

The club has seen 24,847 fans pass through the turnstiles through 12 home games this season, an average of 2071 (30 more fans than the Vernon Vipers have averaged through 15 home games) per game.

If we remove the game in Memorial and the SOEC opener (a sellout for the first public glimpses at the new facility) the Vees have drawn 18,376 fans over the 10 games since the season opening pair… that’s 1,837 per contest.

While 1837 fans still ranks among the best in the BCHL, rumblings were that the club and building staff were eye-balling 2500 fans on a per game basis, which is a far cry from 1837. Also last night’s marque match-up with the dreaded Vernon Vipers in town for the first time all season drew 2067. If Vernon on a Saturday draws just 2067, a half full SOEC (2500) is still a long way away.

Last season the Vees averaged 1556 fans in Memorial Arena.