Penticton, BC – The Penticton Vees continued their winning streak, defeating the Spruce Grove Saints 5-2 on Friday night at the South Okanagan Events Centre. This victory marks their third win in a row and extends their impressive point streak to nine games with a record of 7-0-2-0.
In this game, Louie Wehmann, Ben Merrill, and Matthew Cataldo led the charge, racking up six points between them. Both Wehmann and Cataldo scored a goal and had an assist, while Merrill contributed two assists. The Vees quickly established their dominance in the first period, scoring three goals on just 14 shots.
The scoring started with Wehmann at 7:12, followed by Eli McKamey at 13:06, and capped by Cataldo at 15:20, who redirected Wehmann’s pass. The crowd of 3,083 fans was treated to a thrilling start as the Vees jumped to a commanding 3-0 lead in the first period.
Despite the Saints trying to mount a comeback with goals from Frederic Deschenes and Matheson Mason, they could not overcome the Vees’ early advantage. The real key to Penticton’s win was their strong defensive play and effective penalty kill, successfully shutting down the Saints even when faced with a two-man disadvantage. Will Ingemann stood tall in goal, making 23 saves and earning the game’s first star.
The turning point came late in the second period when the Saints had a lengthy five-on-three power play. Penticton’s defense, along with Ingemann’s stellar saves, kept the score intact. After Spruce Grove pulled within one goal late in the game, the Vees secured their victory with two empty-net goals from Conyr Hellyer and Caton Ryan.
Notably, this match reinforced the Vees’ dominance over the Saints this season, finishing with a 3-0-1-0 record against them. Recent performance statistics indicate that Wehmann is on fire, having scored in three consecutive games and accumulating five goals in his last six appearances.
For fans looking for trends in amateur hockey, it’s worth noting how critical special teams can be in these matches. A survey by the Canadian Junior Hockey League found that teams with efficient penalty kills often have higher win rates since they can effectively manage game momentum, especially in close matchups.
As the Vees prepare to visit the Vernon Vipers next, they aim to maintain this momentum. With their current form, it seems they are well on their way to making a significant impact in the league. The atmosphere at the South Okanagan Events Centre continues to buzz with excitement, reflecting the growing support for the team and their ambitions.
Game Stats:
- Final Score: Vees 5, Saints 2
- Shots: Vees 36, Saints 25
- Key Players: Wehmann (1G, 1A), Cataldo (1G, 1A), Ingemann (W, 23 SVS)
- Attendance: 3,083
The Penticton Vees are clearly a team to watch this season, combining strong offense with a solid defense. Fans are eager to see how long they can keep this winning streak alive.
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