Francesco Dell’Elce scored 70 seconds into overtime as the Penticton Vees overcame a late third-period rally from the West Kelowna Warriors on Friday, March 8, and topped their Highway 97 rivals 2-1 at Royal LePage Place.
The Vees defenceman had his initial shot stopped by Warriors netminder Rorke Applebee before he scored on his rebound and lifted Penticton (35-7-3-2) to its fifth win in a row.
Penticton goaltender Will Ingemann made 24 saves while eyeing his BCHL-record seventh shutout of the season before Jack Pridham scored with just eight seconds left in regulation for West Kelowna (28-10-10-0), who is now nine points behind the first-place Vees in the Interior Conference.
“Honestly, that may have been the most competitive game we had all season,” said Penticton assistant coach Matthew Vanden Berg. “It was great to get the two points out of a tough building.
“It was a complete team effort.”
Applebee stopped 25 shots and was named the game’s second star. Ingemann, who broke the BCHL’s all-time shutout streak on March 1 after not allowing a goal for 260 minutes, took home first-star honours.
Philidelphia Flyers prospect Ryan MacPherson scored the Vees’ other goal just two minutes into the first period, making the Warriors’ netminder pay for a mishandling miscue at the side of the net. Macpherson’s twin brother, Connor, was credited with the assist.
The rookie’s 15th goal of the campaign stood as the game’s only marker until Pridham forced overtime on a 6-on-5 situation after West Kelowna had pulled Applebee for the extra attacker.
Friday’s showdown in the Central Okanagan marked the first time this season a road team has claimed victory in the Highway 97 rivalry.
Penticton picked up its BCHL-best 16th road win of the year and has not lost in regulation away from home since Jan. 5.
West Kelowna returns to the ice on Saturday night, March 9, when they host the Prince George Spruce Kings (14-30-3-0).
The Vees, meanwhile, head home Saturday to battle the Merritt Centennials (19-23-4-1) at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
READ MORE: Penticton Vees’ Will Ingemann reflects on making BCHL history