Photo: Cherie Morgan
Penticton, B.C. – The Penticton Vees’ eight-game win streak came to an end on Sunday afternoon, after their 4-3 overtime setback to the Okotoks Oilers, at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
It was a dramatic finish, as the Vees rallied from a 3-1 deficit with three and a half minutes left in the third period to force overtime. Penticton scored twice with the goalie pulled to secure a point. Luke Posthumus and Ryden Evers scored late in regulation. Posthumus scored with just over three minutes left and then Evers tied the game with 22 seconds left in regulation.
The rally fell just short, as the Oilers’ Kade Duell scored the overtime winner with just 15 seconds left in the 10-minute three-on-three period. Sunday’s overtime win was just the third road win of the season for Okotoks, as they had lost their last six road games prior to Sunday.
Okotoks’ goaltender Simon Westling shutout the Vees through 40 minutes. The towering, 6’5 netminder had 29 saves through two periods and went to make 45 saves in the win.
Ethan Buenaventura suffered his first loss in his sixth start, after he conceded four goals on 24 shots.
The Oilers led 1-0 through the first two periods, courtesy of Brock Souch’s first period goal at 9:46.
Penticton was still down 1-0 at the start of the third, before Brock Reinhart finally broke through, scoring 3:19 into the third period on rebound. Reinhart’s first goal since October 26th.
Okotoks then stunned the crowd with two goals in 60 seconds to go up 3-1 midway through the third. Michael Kowalski and Joseph Meredith scored a minute apart that put the visitors up two with 10 minutes to go.
Posthumus pulled the Vees within one when he made it 3-2 at 16:40. With the goalie on the bench for the extra attacker, Posthumus was in the right spot, after the point shot dribbled through Westling’s arm and fell to the Vees’ forward in the crease for his 14th.
Penticton then pulled the goalie again and, again, they scored. Evers was camped out at the top of the crease and Posthumus centered the puck for the tap in at 19:38. Evers’ 14th forced overtime.
The Vees have tied it in the final seconds!
After a missed empty netter at one end, Penticton goes the other way and Ryden Evers sends this one to OT.
@Fraser_Vees | @PentictonVees #BCHL pic.twitter.com/0JsRP9OD6F
— BCHL (@BCHockeyLeague) December 30, 2024
The Vees had their fair share of chances in overtime, none better than Michael Fisher’s look at an open net with the goalie down but his shot went just wide.
GAME NOTES
Sunday was the Vees first loss since November 22nd, in Salmon Arm. Penticton’s overtime record is now 1-1. Ryden Evers extended his league-best point streak to nine games with his goal Sunday. He has 16 points during that stretch.
GAME STATS
Shots: Vees- 48 Bulldogs-24
Scoring: Brock Reinhart (3), Luke Posthumus (14), Ryden Evers (14)
Goaltending: Ethan Buenaventura (L), 20/24, 67:39
Vees Power Play: 0/1
Vees Penalty Kill: 1/1
Three Stars:
1) Ryden Evers (1G)
2) Simon Westling (45 SVS)
3) Ben Merrill (1A)
Attendance: 2,835
Up Next: The Vees (23-6-1-0) host the Sherwood Park Crusaders (19-11-0-0) on Friday, January 3rd, at 7:00 pm.
