Vees take game 7 thriller

Photo: Contributed

The Penticton Vees have captured the BCHL's Interior Division title in a thrilling 2-0 win over the Vernon Vipers in game seven Sunday night in Penticton.

There were no goals at all until late in the third when Patrick Sexton scored for the Penticton Vees at 17:07 of the final frame for what turned out to be the game winner.

Penticton had three power-play opportunities through regulation and Vernon was given two but neither team could convert on special teams. Penticton outshot Vernon 20-16 through 40 minutes and 29-17 overall.

Sexton's goal was all they needed as Hunter Miska posted his second series-ending shutout of the playoffs. Matthew Serratore added an empty-netter in the dying seconds.

Penticton will be the #1 seed for the round three double round robin. They will host Nanaimo in game one of round three on Wednesday, March 25.

In Nanaimo, Cole Maier's goal just 18 seconds into the third period stood up as the game- and series-winning goal for the Clippers in a thrilling game seven win at home over the Powell River Kings.

Spencer Hewson got the Clips on the board 2:36 into the first and it remained 1-0 Nanaimo until Stephen Hiff equalized for Powell River after the midway point of the second. Nick Gushue and Derin Hamilton then swapped goals to make it 2-2 going to the final frame.

Maier wasted no time, talling the decisive marker on the first shift of the third period. Powell River poured all they had at the Clips in the final 20 minutes outshooting them 12-9 and 35-34 for the game but couldn't beat Guillaume Decelles to tie it.

Nanaimo advances as the #2 seed for the double round robin.

Chilliwack is the number three seed after earlier dispatching the Prince George Spruce Kings in the Coast Division final.