The Penticton Vees completed the Kootenay sweep on Saturday, doubling up the Trail Smoke Eaters 6-3 at Cominco Arena in Trail. With the win, Penticton swept their two-game road trip against Cranbrook and Trail.
The Vees have now won three in a row and extended their point streak to eight games. Penticton improved their league-best road record to 4-1-1-0 and sit two points clear of the Vernon Vipers for top spot in the Interior Division.
Penticton got six goals from six different players and 12 players recorded a single point in the victory. Brothers Connor and Ryan MacPherson, along with Simon Meier, finished with a goal and an assist. Billy Renfrew chipped in with a pair of helpers. Defenceman Nolan Stevenson marked his return to the lineup with an assist.
Will Ingemann picked up his third win of the season (3-0-1-1) with his 24-save performance. Ingemann was at his best over the final 40 minutes, stopping 19 of 20 shots down the stretch.
The Vee trailed 2-1 after the first period after the Smoke Eaters scored a pair of power play goals. Connor MacPherson did score in the first, but his goal was sandwiched between power play markers by Trail’s Adam Parsons and Matthieu Cobetto-Roy.
Arnott scored three minutes into the second to tie it, 2-2, after he capitalized on a rebound for his fourth goal of the season. Meier’s initial shot was stopped, by Arnott punched the rebound in front of the net.
Lippai gave Penticton their first lead just over three minutes after Arnott had tied it.
Penticton added to their lead early in the third period, as Meier scored his second of the season at 2:08 to put the visitors up 4-2.
Columbus Blue Jackets’ prospect James Fisher stretched the lead to 5-2, with his power play goal five minutes into the final frame. Fisher’s shot from the right wing found its way in off a Trail defenceman for his sixth on the campaign.
Ryan MacPherson put the game out of reach with his breakaway goal with just under three minutes remaining. The Philadelphia Flyers draft pick took a stretch pass from Max Heise and got in behind the two defencemen, before wiring his wrist shot over the goalie’s arm at 17:04; his seventh put the Vees up 6-2.
Trail’s Ridge Dawson pulled one back for the home team with half a minute remaining to make it 6-3, but that’s as close as the Smoke Eaters would get.
NEXT UP: The Vees (6-1-1-1) return to action Saturday, October 21st, against the Merritt Centennials at the SOEC; puck drop is 6:00 pm. Fans can get their tickets at the Valley First box office, or online at www.valleyfirsttix.com. Tickets are $19 for adults, $17 for seniors. Youth 18 and under get in free, courtesy of Peters’ Bros. Construction.