Game Recap: Posthumus scores twice as Vees open 2025 with win over Crusaders

Photo: Cherie Morgan

In a standout performance on home ice, the Penticton Vees delivered a dominant 5-1 victory over the Sherwood Park Crusaders, Friday night at the SOEC.

Despite finishing the game with just nine forwards, the Vees depth and resilience was on full display, shutting down the highest-scoring team in the BC Hockey League (BCHL). The win extended Penticton’s point streak to 10 games (9-0-1-0) as they are now three points up on the Brooks Bandits for top spot in the Interior Conference.

The game’s first star was none other than Luke Posthumus, who potted two goals to lead the Vees. His performance highlighted a strong offensive display from the Penticton, who broke the game open in the second period with three straight goals.

Anselmo Rego, Michael Fisher, and Caton also scored for Penticton. Rego scored shorthanded in the second period and against the league’s top power play.

Ethan Buenaventura picked up his sixth win of the season, as he stopped 17 of 18 shots and remains undefeated in regulation in six games.

Penticton dominated the opening frame, as they outshot the Crusaders 18-6 but couldn’t solve Crusaders’ goaltender James Venne in the first, as it was a scoreless opening 20 minutes.

The Vees needed just 70 seconds to break the 0-0 tie in the second and shorthanded. Rego scored his first goal in eight games on a shorthanded two-on-one rush with Mathew Cataldo. Rego went to his backhand on a deke and put Penticton ahead 1-0.

Penticton was held off the scoresheet for 20 minutes in the first period but then scored twice in just 41 seconds in the middle frame.

After Rego made it 1-0, Posthumus scored his first of two at 1:51 that put the home team up 2-0. Just after he was done serving a penalty, Louie Wehmann won the race to the puck behind the net and dished out front to Posthumus who squeezed his shot five hole.

Incredible first BCHL Goal for Michael Fisher

@Fraser_Vees #BCHL | @PentictonVees pic.twitter.com/DMN2PuScbJ

— BCHL (@BCHockeyLeague) January 4, 2025

Michael Fisher put Penticton up 3-0 when he finished off a dazzling four-way passing play at 6:23. Fisher finished off the rush with a quick shot stick side on the Crusaders’ goalie. His first as a Vee had the crowd buzzing.

Lucas Brennan scored Sherwood Park’s only goal late in the second period that spoiled Buenaventura’s shutout bid. His goal made it 3-1 at 18:28.

Penticton pulled away in third period with two goals from Posthumus and Caton Ryan. Posthumus scored his second of the game at 2:01 on a rush down the left wing. The Ottawa, Ontario, product won the race to the puck on the wing, cut to the net, and chipped his shot over the pad of the goalie.

Ryan scored on the power play at 7:19 to put the finishing touches on the win.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Forward Max Heise was hurt in the second period after he crashed into the Sherwood net. He did not return to the game. The Vees finished with nine forwards.
• Luke Posthumus has now 12 points in his last nine games (10G, 2A) and points in eight of his last nine.
• Nolan Stevenson has recorded 11 points in his last 10 games (2G, 9A).
• The Vees have 13 of their last 15 games (13-1-1-0) dating back to November 9^th.

GAME STATS 

Shots: Vees- 34 Crusaders-18

Scoring: Luke Posthumus (15, 16), Anselmo Rego (9), Michael Fisher (1), Caton Ryan (4)

Goaltending: Ethan Buenaventura (W), 17/18, 60:00

Vees Power Play: 1/6

Vees Penalty Kill: 5/5

Three Stars:

1) Luke Posthumus (2G)

2) Caton Ryan (1G, 1A)

3) Anselmo Rego (1G, 1A)

Attendance: 2,703

Up Next: The Vees (24-6-1-0) host the Trail Smoke Eaters (21-8-2-1) on Saturday, January 4^th, at 6:00 pm.