Vees survive another nail-biter

It may be another season but this edition of the Penticton Vees is doing what their predecessors did before them - find ways to win.

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet

Chad Katunar got the better of Vernon's Adam Tambellini in the second overtime period.

For the second day in a row the Vees scored late, this time in overtime, to secure a 3-2 victory over division rival Vernon Vipers.

Rookie Michael Rebry was the hero Saturday, beating Austin Smith with a hard slapshot from the right faceoff circle 2:56 into the second five minute overtime period.

The goal came seconds after Vees netminder Chad Katunar made big saves off the sticks of Adam Tambellini and Craig Martin.

Rebry's goal came on the Vees second shot of overtime and their only really good scoring chance.

Tambellini forced overtime with just 63 seconds left in regulation.

Martin also scored for the Vipers.

Sam Mellor, acquired from Trail in the off season scored both goals in regulation time for the Vees.

The Vipers lost defenceman Marc Hetnik early in the second overtime to what appeared to be a leg injury.

The previous night Wade Murphy scored with 58 seconds left in regulation time as the Vees opened the season with a 2-1 win over Chilliwack.

Five other games were played during day two of the Showcase Event in Chilliwack.

West Kelowna Warriors 6 Salmon Arm Silverbacks 0

Max French scored three times and Tyler Briggs registered his first BCHL shutout for the Warriors. Brett McKinnon had a goal and two assists.

Prince George Spruce Kings 4 Merritt Centennials 1

Cam Lawson, Lynden Martell and Coltyn Hansen all had a goal and an assist for the Spruce Kings. Sean Maktaak scored the lone goal for the Centennials.

Cowichan Valley Capitals 8 Trail Smoke Eaters 1

Cowichan broke open a tight game with five unanswered goals in the third period. Mikael Jung scored twice for the Capitals as seven different players shared in the goal scoring. Cowichan scored four times on the power-play and added a short handed goal. Garrett McMullen scored the lone goal for the Smokies.

Victoria Grizzlies 5 Alberni Valley Bulldogs 4 (overtime)

Myles Fitzgerald scored his second of the night 2:07 into overtime leading the Grizzlies to the victory. The win avenges the Grizzlies 1-0 overtime loss to Coquitlam Friday. Fitzgerald also sent the game into overtime with a goal at 18:43 of the third. Lars Hepso scored three times for the Bulldogs who held one goal leads on four separate occasions.

Chilliwack Chiefs 2 Nanaimo Clippers 1

David Thompson's power-play goal late in the second period stood up as the winner as Chilliwack edged Nanaimo 2-1. Cooper Rush scored the other goal for Chilliwack also on the power-play. Jesse Neher scored the lone goal for Nanaimo.