Vees roughed up by Wild

Photo: HockeyTV

Officials separate players on the Penticton Vees and Wenatchee Wild with one second remaining in the third period on Dec. 29.

A hat trick from co-captain Owen Sillinger on Friday night wasn't enough for the Penticton Vees south of the border, as they were doubled up 6-3 by the Wenatchee Wild.

Both the Vees and the Wild scored one goal apiece in the first and third periods, but a second period where the Wild outscored the Vees 4-1 was the difference.

"The first period was a little bit back and forth, feeling each other out after the break... Going into the second period we veered off of our game plan and paid a dear price for it," Vees assistant coach Jason Becker said in the Vees postgame show on EZ Rock 800.

"We started chasing the game, starting taking more risks. Took too many penalties," he continued.

"I thought the third was a good push for us there, but when you're chasing the game it's tough to come back. Especially against a group like Wenatchee here when it's a three-goal lead."

Seven powerplays went the way of the Wild on Friday, as the home team went 2-7 on the man advantage. The Vees powerplay finished 0-4.

Wenatchee led 35-28 in shots on the night, and in the four-goal second frame the home team outshot Penticton by a mere 10-8 margin.

The Wild's offence was led by captain Jasper Weatherby, A.J. Vanderbeck and Sam Morton — all of whom are in the top-five in goal scoring in the B.C. Hockey League.

Down 1-0, Vanderbeck scored his 18th goal in the first to knot the score, before adding his 19th early in the second. Weatherby scored his team-leading 26th goal shortly after that.

Up 4-2, Morton scored his 19th of the season late in the middle period. Adam Scheel replaced Nolan Hildebrand afterwards, and stopping 14 of 15 shots in relief.

While the Vees continue to be decimated by injuries, Owen Sillinger continues to lead the way.

The team's co-captain now has five goals and six points in his past three games, and with 18 goals on the season he's now up to sixth in goals among all BCHL players.

"There was no quit at all in him. He was in every situation — five-on-five, powerplay and penalty kill out there. Leading the way that he has to," Becker said postgame.

"Tomorrow we're going to need everyone jumping on his train and helping pull the rope."

The Vees will get a quick chance at redemption against the Wild, as the two teams meet at the Town Toyota Centre for a 7:05 p.m. puck drop once again on Saturday.

Veteran forward Marcus Mitchell made his Vees debut on Friday, after being acquired earlier this week from the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.

All of Grant Cruikshank, Cassidy Bowes, Chris Klack and Ryan O'Connell sat out due to injuries and all are expected to for a while longer, with Cruikshank likely out for the season.

The Vees dressed only five defenders on Friday. Blueliner Michael Campoli, who was acquired earlier this month, arrives in town on Sunday and will debut with the club in the new year.