Vees stay perfect vs. Cents

Photo: Colton Davies

Vees forward Dakota Boutin carries the puck out of his end late in the third period against the Centennials on Jan. 10, 2018.

With a portion of their roster being turned over since the weekend, the Penticton Vees dominated most of their game on Wednesday against the Merritt Centennials, despite not taking a lead until the third period, as they earned a 4-3 win at home.

The win was the third in a row for the Vees, who pounded the Cents 43-21 on the shot clock.

Penticton had lots of extra tools to work with on Wednesday as captain Owen Sillinger and assistant captain Chris Klack returned to the lineup, and James Miller — in his second stint with the Vees — and Wyatt Sloboshan both debuted after being acquired earlier this week.

Assistant coach Jason Becker said it was an adjustment for everyone to settle in, with a revamped lineup compared to a few days ago. The lineup also didn't include Nick Leivermann for the first time this year, as he was injured on the weekend.

"I think there's a little bit of an emotional high and a let-down at the same time. We worked so hard last weekend with the lineup that we had," he said postgame on EZ Rock 800.

"I think maybe we took it for granted that we were getting (Sillinger) and (Klack) back, and (Miller) and (Sloboshan), but I thought for the most part we controlled the game. Had a lot of heavy shifts, created a lot of traction in the offensive zone and lots of opportunities tonight."

The Cents got on the board first, as Matthew Kopperud scored in the game's first seven minutes.

After leading 14-9 in first-period shots, the Vees scored an equalizer early in the second, coming off the stick of Massimo Rizzo.

Joey Berkopec and Mathieu Gosselin scored less than four minutes apart midway through the second, as Merritt responded to take a two-goal lead. 

At risk of heading into the third trailing 3-1, Penticton broke through with two goals 68 seconds apart late in the second. Marcus Mitchell scored his 11th before Taylor Ward scored his 12th shortly after.

The Vees led 20-6 in shots in the middle period.

Sillinger scored early in the third period in his return — his team-leading 20th goal — which held up as the game-winner. 

Becker pointed out the two goals late in the second were a turning point for the Vees.

"When you're down 3-1 with under five minutes in the second, you're just hoping to get through. If you get one it's awesome, and in our case we got two, being able to go tied into the third in our home building and knowing we had the momentum."

Kenny Johnson had a pair of assists for the Vees, and Mitchell had a goal and an assist. Sloboshan picked up his first point as a Vee, assisting on Rizzo's goal in the second.

Penticton is now 4-0 against Merritt to date this season. Wednesday's game was the first meeting since Oct. 20 between the two teams.

The win also leapfrogs the Vees from fourth to second in the B.C. Hockey League's standings — jumping past the Wenatchee Wild and Trail Smoke Eaters.

With a record of 25-9-2-2, the Vees are behind the Vernon Vipers by five points and have played three fewer games.

Penticton concludes a four-game home stand on Friday when the Smoke Eaters visit town for the first time this season.