The Penticton Vees returned home Friday night in style, defeating the Merritt Centennials 6-0 and extending their season-opening win streak to five games.
After spending last weekend on road, the defending Fred Page Cup champions blanked their Nicola Valley rivals at the South Okanagan Events Centre on Oct. 7, thanks to a 19-save shutout from Hank Levy.
Friday night’s showdown marked Levy’s regular-season debut in a Vees’ uniform.
On the strength of two-goal nights from Bradly Nadeau and Aydar Suniev, Penticton (5-0-0-0) won its 21st consecutive game, dating back to last year’s playoff run.
Jackson Nieuwendyk’s opening marker six and a half minutes into the affair proved to be the game-winner. The Vees would go on to outshoot the Centennials 58-19.
A trip down memory lane kicked off the festivities at the South Okanagan Events Centre (SOEC) Friday night, as members from the 2007-2008 Vees were welcomed on the ice for a pre-game ceremony. Penticton’s team from nearly 15 years ago won the Fred Page Cup, breaking a more than two-decade championship drought.
Eight former players made the trip to Penticton, including 2008 captain Brett Hextall.
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Penticton is back in action Saturday night when they welcome the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (3-2-0-0) to the SOEC. The Vees defeated the Silverbacks 6-1 last Friday.
Puck drop for Saturday’s showdown is at 6 p.m.