Image Credit: Cherie Morgan Photography

PENTICTON - Six days ago the Cowichan Valley Capitals surprised the Penticton Vees on home ice. Fast-forward to Saturday and the Vees got the revenge they were looking for with a 4-1 win over the Caps at the SOEC.

It was last Sunday in Duncan that the struggling Capitals doubled-up the Vees 4-2 at the Island Savings Centre. The Vees, with a few days rest and reinforcements, pulled away in the second and third period for their second straight win.

After a scoreless and relatively uneventful first period, the Vees opened up the scoring midway through the second. The Vees two Patrick’s teamed up for the game’s first goal, as Patrick Sexton setup Patrick Newell to put the Vees ahead at 10:22. From the left half-wall, Sexton fired a dart across the ice to Newell who banged-in his sixth to break a scoreless deadlock. With that goal, Newell extended his team-best point streak to 10 games.

Tyson Jost almost scored seconds earlier, as Demico Hannoun centered for Jost from behind the net but the puck jumped over his stick. Luckily for Jost, Sexton was there to follow up the play and spot an open Newell on the weak side.

The Vees ramped up the pressure in the second, outshooting Cowichan Valley 16-2 and got some breathing room late in the frame. Cody DePourcq walked out from the left-wing corner and his shot took a deflection of the Capitals Skylar Pacheco and went up and over goaltender Lane Michasiw on the short-side at 17:16; DePourcq’s fifth.

Vees starter Brendan Barry didn’t see a lot of rubber in the second but he did make a great save off of Kyle Horsman. Jesse Neher centered for a streaking Horsman but the Capitals Captain had his deflection stopped by Barry, who quickly lunged out with his blocker to get a piece of the tip.

The score remained unchanged until late in the third when former Capital Steen Cooper snapped a lengthy goal drought. Cooper rushed down the left-wing and from the circle, snapped the puck over Michasiw’s shoulder on the near-side at 16:01. For Cooper that was his third goal of the season and first in 18 games; his last goal coming on October 3rd.

The Caps spoiled Brendan Barry’s shutout bid under two-minutes later when Steven Fiust found daylight between Barry’s legs from the slot at 17:41; the puck looked to change direction of a Vees defender before going five-hole.

Matt Serratore, like he did last night, put the game on ice with his second empty-net goal in as many games. Serratore scooped up the loose puck in the centre circle and fired into an open six-by-four in the Capitals end at 19:24

Final Score: 4-1 Vees

Shots: 42-11 Vees

Power-Plays: Vees 0-4 Caps 0-2

Three Stars: 1) Patrick Newell 2) Lane Michasiw 3) Cam Amantea

Attendance: 2,283

The Vees power-play goal streak ended at eight games Saturday. They scored 17 power-play goals during the run and the power-play was clicking at 40.5 percent during the streak. Their penalty-kill was perfect again Saturday and they’ve now shutout the opposition’s power-play in four straight. Newell extended his point streak to 10 games with his second period goal (4-12-16). Not only did Steen Cooper snap his goalless drought but he finished tied for a game high two points (1-1-2). The Vees are now 19-3-0-1 and 9-1-0-0 at home this season; 4-1-0-1 against the Island Division.

The Vees are back in action Wednesday, November 19th, when they host the Langley Rivermen at the SOEC. It’s another “Wicked Wednesday” as tickets are just $5 for adults and seniors, and draft beer is just $3.50. There will also be a raffle for a home living room set.  Ticket are available at the Valley First Box Office (at the SOEC).

News from © iNFOnews, 2014