Image Credit: Cherie Morgan Photography
December 13, 2014 - 9:30 AM
SALMON ARM - Hunter Miska did everything but score the game-winner, as the Penticton Vees played to a rare 2-2 tie with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks on Friday night.
Miska stopped 34 of 36 shots, including a Chase Priskie penalty-shot in double-overtime, as the Vees ran their undefeated streak to four games. With just 22 seconds left in the three-on-three period, Miles Gendron was called for hooking Priskie in the Vees end; BCHL rules state any penalty in double-overtime is an automatic penalty-shot.
The Vees puck-stopper won the showdown, as he didn’t bite on the fake slap-shot and forced the Silverbacks defenseman to bobble the puck.
Salmon Arm’s Brenden Wagner forced overtime when he tied the game early in the third period. Wagner forced a turnover on the wall and walked into the right-circle, before beating Miska on the blocker side at 6:25.
The Vees carried at 2-1 lead into the third period after Dakota Conroy and Salmon Arm’s Phil Middleton traded power-play markers. Conroy doubled the Vees lead early in the second on the team’s first power-play of the game.
Conroy’s attempted pass across the crease took a deflection off the defenseman’s leg and past Angus Redmond at 2:13 to put the Vees up by a pair; Conroy’s fifth and first in two games.
Middleton cut the Vees lead in half midway through the middle stanza on a ‘Backs man-advantage. Middleton’s point-shot appeared to hit a Vees defender before trickling through Miska’s legs at 10:36. Middleton’s fourth triggered the Silverbacks Teddy Bear Toss.
Lewis Zerter-Gossage had the Vees ahead after the first period. Late in the opening stanza, Zerter-Gossage danced his way around a defender on the left-wing and then undressed Redmond on a great deke for his 12th at 18:29; his second in the last three games.
Final Score: 2-2
Shots: 36-32 Salmon Arm
Power-Plays: Vees 1-3 Silverbacks 1-2
Three Stars: 1) Andrew Farny 2) Hunter Miska 3) Angus Redmond
Friday’s tie was the Vees first since last season, when they tied the Langley Rivermen 1-1 on October 19th, 2013; 76 regular season games between draws. The Vees record now stands at 26-4-1-1, 13 points up on second place Vernon.
The Vees are off Saturday before returning to the SOEC on Sunday afternoon, when they host the Chilliwack Chiefs in their annual Teddy Bear Toss game; puck drop is 3pm. The Chiefs won Friday and are first in the Mainland Division, sporting a 21-9-0-1 record; they’re in Trail Saturday. Fans are encouraged to bring an arm full of new or gently used stuffed toys to shower the ice, when the Vees score their first goal. Game sponsor Costco Wholesale will be giving away a new surround sound system to one lucky fan who brings a stuffed toy.
Fans can purchase their tickets at the Valley First box office (at the SOEC) on Sunday morning starting at 10 a.m., or online at www.valleyfirsttix.com.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014