Recap: Posthumus’ pair leads Vees to sixth straight win

Photo: Cherie Morgan

Penticton, B.C. – The Penticton Vees delivered their fans an early Christmas present on Friday, a win over their Highway 97 rivals. The Vees won their sixth in a row, knocking off the West Kelowna Warriors 5-2, at the SOEC.

Friday was the Vees’ final home game before the annual BCHL Christmas break, and it was also their eighth win in nine games at the SOEC this season. Penticton has not only won six-straight but 10 of their last 11 games dating back to November 23^rd

Luke Posthumus led the offence, as he picked up a pair of goals, both in the second period, as the Vees came back after trailing 1-0 after 20 minutes. Louie Wehmann, Max Heise, and Landon Wright all scored in the third period.

Goaltender Will Ingemann picked up his 13^th win, coincidentally on Friday the 13^th. Ingemann stopped 16 of 18 shots.

After West Kelowna led 1-0 through the opening period, the Vees levelled the game early in the second. Just two minutes in, Matthew Cataldo made a great pass out of the corner to Posthumus, who hammered a one-timer from the circle over the goalie’s glove. Posthumus’ 11^th at 2:01 made it 1-1.

Luke Posthumus with a MISSILE to get the Vees even at one

@Fraser_Vees #BCHL | @PentictonVees pic.twitter.com/JwoNqpoTxu

— BCHL (@BCHockeyLeague) December 14, 2024

Posthumus, who had a four-game point streak coming into the game, grabbed the lead for the Vees midway through the middle frame. The 19-year-old skated back up to the blue line, then fired a wrist shot through traffic at 13:34, that made it 2-1.

Penticton had another strong start in the third period, as Wehmann and Heise scored two minutes apart.Wehmann scored at 1:33 on a redirect from a Callum Stone point shot. Moments earlier, Wehmann was denied twice, but got his measure of revenge.

Shortly thereafter, Heise put the Vees up 4-1 as they made quick work of a power play. Ryden Evers, who had two assists Friday, threw a cross-ice pass from the side of the net over to Heise, who hammered home a one-timer at 3:33. His team-leading 15^th, and his eighth power play goal made it 4-1.

Penticton ran into some penalty trouble not long after Heise scored, and the Warriors went on a five-on-three power play. On that two-man advantage, Sam LeDrew scored on a heavy shot of his own that cut the Vees lead down to 4-2.

Wright put the game out of reach with his breakaway goal at 9:38, that put the Vees up 5-2. Wright won a race to the puck in the neutral zone, before snapping his shot over the glove of the Warriors’ goaltender for his 11^th.

GAME NOTES

Captain Conyr Hellyer marked his return to the lineup with a pair of assists. Evers now has 11 points over his six-game point streak. He was named the Vees’ Player of the Month for November, prior to puck drop. With his pair of goals, Luke Posthumus extended his point streak to five games. Posthumus has six goals in his last five games.

GAME STATS 

Shots: Vees- 26 Warriors-18

Scoring: Luke Posthumus (11, 12), Louie Wehmann (6), Max Heise (15), Landon Wright (11)

Goaltending: Will Ingemann (W), 16/18, 60:00

Vees Power Play: 1/3

Vees Penalty Kill: 3/4

Three Stars:

1) Luke Posthumus (2G)

2) Ryder Evers (2A)

3) Conyr Hellyer (2A)

Attendance: 2,544

Up Next: The Vees (21-6-0-0) and Warriors (9-12-5-2) face-off again tomorrow, December 14^th, at Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna, puck drop is 7:00 pm.

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CONTACT:

Fraser Rodgers

Vice President of Business Operations

Director of Broadcasting & Communications

Penticton Vees Hockey Club

fraser@pentictonvees.com

250.493.8337