Spruce Kings chop Vees

Photo: Damon James

Forward David Silye moves up ice for the Vees, with Spruce Kings forward Nolan Welsh in pursuit.

Leading 2-1 early in the third period on Friday, the Penticton Vees allowed two goals in 16 seconds to the Prince George Spruce Kings, losing 3-2 at the B.C. Hockey League showcase.

The loss was the first ever for Vees in 14 games at the showcase, which has been played for the past seven seasons in Chilliwack.

Twenty-year-old Prince George forward Ben Brar, a former Vee, opened the game's scoring just under five minutes into the first period. Brar added a second goal later on, his BCHL-leading seventh in only his sixth game of the year.

Ryan Sandelin scored his third of year about 10 minutes after Prince George went ahead.

The game remained 1-1 until early in the third, when David Silye scored his team-leading fourth goal to give Penticton its first lead.

But after Brar scored to knot things up at 2-2, Nicholas Poisson scored the eventual-game-winner 16 seconds later, at 8:27 of the third.

The Vees led 30-26 in shots, including 16-6 in the third — a period they largely outplayed the Spruce Kings but were outscored in. 

Jack Lafontaine started for the second straight day in goal, stopping 23 of 26 shots. Logan Neaton stopped 28 of 30 in the Prince George crease.

Penticton falls to 2-3 so far in the young season. Apart from Silye (four goals) and Sandelin (three), the rest of the roster has combined for eight goals in the team's five games.

They now have a week off from game action before visiting the Merritt Centennials on Sept. 28. The Vees home opener will take place the following night, Sept. 29, against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.