Game Recap: Vees rally but lose late in Sherwood Park
Photo: Lawrence Scott / Target Photography
Sherwood Park, AB – The Penticton Vees had their six-game win streak come to an end Saturday, in their 6-4 loss to the Sherwood Park Crusaders at Randy Rosen Rink.
The Vees came back from a 4-1 second period deficit to tie the game late in the third but it was all for not, as the Crusaders delivered a gut punch, by scoring the game-winner 22 seconds after Penticton had drawn level.
“We could have easily given up at 4-1 but we battled back and showed some character to dig out of the hole and tie it late. Tough ending no doubt, but it’s a long season and you’re going to face adversity. We need to quickly put it behind us and get ready for tomorrow’s game against Spruce Grove,” said Assistant Coach Matthew Vanden Berg post-game.
Penticton trailed 2-0 after 20 minutes, and at one point were down 4-1 midway through the second frame, before they rallied for three-straight goals to tie the game in the third.
Forward Conyr Hellyer and defenceman Nolan Stevenson each scored, and each finished with three points. Eli McKamey and Simon Meier also found the scoresheet.
The exceptional status forward Eli McKamey rips home his 3rd of the season to bring the Vees within two!
@Fraser_Vees #BCHL | @PentictonVees pic.twitter.com/M7kD5Zkr7Y
— BCHL (@BCHockeyLeague) October 20, 2024
McKamey and Hellyer scored on the power play, as the Vees had another strong showing with the man advantage, scoring twice on three chances.
Penticton had to use both goaltenders Saturday, as Will Ingemann started but was replaced by Andrew Ness in the second period after allowing three goals on 19 shots. Ness stopped nine of 11 shots in 30 minutes of relief work.
Sherwood Park took a 2-0 lead to the second period after goals from Nicholas Beaudoin and Christian Chouha in the opening frame.
Hellyer got the Vees on the scoreboard in the middle stanza with his third goal in his last two games at 7:04. Hellyer tapped-in a great pass from Caton Ryan on the power play.
The momentum was short lived as Sherwood Park then scored back-to-back goals in less than three minutes to go up 4-1. Malachi McKinnon scored at 8:20 for the Crusaders, then Jordan Gudridge found the back of the net at 11:10 to put the home team up by three. Ness came into replace Ingemann after McKinnon’s goal.
The Vees started their comeback with another power play goal, this time it was Eli McKamey who scored short side at 12:07 to put the Vees back within two. McKamey’s goal came six seconds into the power play. The Vees trailed 4-2 going into the third.
In the final frame, it stayed 4-2 for the Cru up until the final five minutes. Simon Meier brought the Vees within a goal when he scored his second at 15:18 after a great dish by Nolan Stevenson. Stevenson then went from playmaker to goal scorer, as he walked in off the wall and tucked a backhand underneath James Venne at 17:05. Stevenson’s third tied the game 4-4.
However, on the next shift Sherwood Park’s Cooper Sharp pounced on a rebound and scored at 17:27, as he grabbed the lead right back for the Crusaders at 5-4. Poul Andersen sealed the win for Sherwood Park with his empty net goal at 18:48.
GAME NOTES
Defenceman Michael Fisher left the game in the second period and did not return. The team classified it as an upper-body injury.
Anselmo Rego had his season-opening nine-game point streak snapped Saturday. Luke Posthumus’ six-game streak ended in the loss too. Ryden Evers extended his point streak to five games with his assist. After having no goals and three points in his first games, Conyr Hellyer now has six points in his last two games.
GAME STATS
Shots: Vees- 54 Crusaders- 31
Scoring: Conyr Hellyer, Eli McKamey, Simon Meier, Nolan Stevenson
Goaltending: Will Ingemann 28:20, 16/19
Andrew Ness (L) 29:44, 9/11
Vees Power-Play: 2/3
Vees Penalty-Kill: 0/0
Three Stars:
- James Venne
- Conyr Hellyer
- Cooper Sharp
Up Next: The Vees (8-2-0-0) face the Spruce Grove Saints (3-6-1-0) Sunday afternoon at Grant Fuhr Arena, at 2:00 pm MDT. Fans can listen to the game on Bounce 800 AM or watch on FloHockey TV.