Vees edge past Smokies

Photo: HockeyTV

The Penticton Vees celebrate Taylor Ward's goal to give them a 1-0 lead against the Trail Smoke Eaters on Wednesday night.

Two first-period goals was all the firepower the Penticton Vees would need in their visit to the West Kootenay on Wednesday night.

The Vees winning streak is at five games after a 2-1 road win against the Trail Smoke Eaters, who sit atop the B.C Hockey League standings.

Taylor Ward put Penticton on the board in the game's opening 10 minutes, scoring his fourth goal in five games. Owen Sillinger doubled the Vees' lead with his fourth goal in four outings later in the period.

Ross Armour got one back for the Smokies in the second period, scoring for his BCHL-leading 40th point of the season.

Adam Scheel shut the door with 32 saves on 33 shots, including 14 stops in the third period, as the Vees held on for a statement-making win.

The Smokies outshot the Vees 33-26 on the night.

Wednesday night's result is a far cry from the Vees' previous visit to Cominco Arena — when the Smokies doubled the Vees in shots and dominated in a 4-1 win.

Special teams proved to be a swinging factor for the Vees on Wednesday, as they went 1-2 on the powerplay and 4-4 on the penalty kill.

The loss for the Smokies is only their second in their past 11 games.

All four of the Interior division's top teams were in action on Wednesday.

The Vernon Vipers were in Wenatchee and dropped a 2-1 score to the Wild.

Trail sits one point ahead of Vernon for top spot in the division and the entire BCHL. Penticton is one point back of Wenatchee, with two-fewer games played.

Those four Interior teams make up four of the league's top-five teams in the overall standings. 

The Vees return home on Friday to host the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. They will then host the Chilliwack Chiefs on Saturday night.