Search PentictonNow
For the third game in a row, the Penticton Vees went into overtime Wednesday night in Vernon and came out victorious as Eric Linell continued his outstanding play with the overtime winner.
The Vees lost 3-2 in Prince George in overtime last Saturday night, one night after defeating the Merritt Centennials 4-3 in a shootout.
Wednesday night in Vernon, the Vees, who now sport record of 11-6-1-2, went 3-for-6 on the man advantage en route to a 3-2 overtime win against the Vernon Vipers, who saw their record drop to 8-6-5-2.
High-scoring defenceman James Miller continued his torrid offensive output as he opened the scoring early in the second when his slap shot from the left point eluded all traffic in front.
The goal was the 10th of the season for Miller in just 20 games.
The lead was short lived for Penticton, as Ben Sanderson took a rink-wide feed in the left circle just 40 seconds later and beat a diving Vees goaltender Jack Lafontaine to even the game at one.
The score stayed that way until the third period with the Vipers on a power play that carried over from the second. Jack Judson let a shot go from the line that was deflected in front of the net by Sebastien Streau, giving Vernon a 2-1 lead 1:40 into the third period.
Aidan Porter turned away shot after shot by the Vees as the game wore on, until Josh Latta was called for roughing with 6:14 to go in the game.
Penticton made the Vipers pay as Miller skated into the Vernon zone forcing the puck deep.
Linell gathered it on the goal line and sent a backhand feed to the net where Ryan Sandelin jammed it past Porter to tie the game with 5:37 remaining.
Vernon’s penalty trouble didn’t end there as Mitch Andreas was handed a five-minute major for boarding Brendan Harrogate with 1:49 to go. Harrogate was skating at full speed into the corner boards, left the game and didn’t return.
The Vees couldn't win it in regulation time, but didn't take long to win it in the extra frame.
Just 32 seconds into overtime, Miller and Linell crossed at the blue line, allowing Linell to open up for a one timer. He made no mistake, wiring the puck into the top corner over the blocker of Porter to seal the win for the Vees.
Penticton now gets set to host the Salmon Arm Silverbacks - and their record of 12-7-1-0 - Friday night at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
It’s just the second meeting of the season between the two teams. Salmon Arm won 3-2 in a shootout at Shaw Centre October 12.
For more on the Vees, click here.