Vees suffer rare 2 game losing streak

The Chilliwack Chiefs top-line combined for six points and Mitch Gillam made 29 saves, as the Chiefs downed the Penticton Vees 4-1 Saturday at the SOEC.

 

The win is the Chiefs' first in the regular season in Penticton since returning to the BCHL last season.

Leading the way for Chilliwack was the trio of Josh Hansen, Austin Plevy and Luke Esposito who combined for two goals and four assists

Plevy scored just 11 seconds into the first period, after the Chiefs dumped the puck into the Vees corner. Esposito won the foot-race to the puck and threw a pass out front, which made its way to Plevy at the far-post for a tap-in.

The Vees regrouped and levelled the game just before the six-minute mark after some great hustle from Jordan McCallum.

The Summerland product pounced on a Travis Blanleil rebound at 5:48, notching his fourth of the season and second in as many games.

The Chiefs went ahead again later in the second period on a power-play goal from Trevor Hills who fired one home over the glove arm of Chad Katunar at 8:20.

Jaret Babych then increased the Chiefs lead late in the period when he converted on his own rebound at 14:13.

The Vees trailed by two after 40 minutes despite out-shooting the Chiefs 13-12 in the middle frame.

Josh Hansen sealed the victory with his league leading 15th goal late in third. Hansen finished off a late-breaking two-on-one, banking in a pass from Esposito off Katunar at 17:44.

The setback is the Vees first regulation home loss since February 4, 2011, a stretch of 39 games. They dropped back-to-back games for the first time since the 2010-2011 season.

Penticton will look to snap their two-game winless streak when they host the Merritt Centennials, Friday, November 9 at the SOEC.

--with files from Fraser Rodgers