Game Recap: Hellyer scores twice, Vees beat Bucks 4-3
Photo: Martin Ross
Cranbrook, B.C. – The Penticton Vees extended their win streak with a 4-3 win over the Cranbrook Bucks, Friday night at Western Financial Place in Cranbrook.
Captain Conyr Hellyer scored twice in Friday’s win, his first game back from miss two weeks with an upper-body injury. Casey Brown and Landon Wright also scored for Penticton.
Specials teams played an important role in the win. The Vees penalty kill in particular had a strong showing. The Vees spent nearly half the third period down a man but managed to protect the lead.
“Coach [Jason] McKee has our boys dialed in on the penalty kill. Our players have bought into it. They take a lot of pride in being detailed and deliberate and it came up clutch. They faced so much pressure in the third and against one of the top power plays in the league. The PK was taxed in the third, but it was a big reason why we won,” said Assistant Coach Matthew Vanden Berg.
Once again, the Vees had to overcome a first period deficit, as they trailed 1-0 after 20 minutes. Cranbrook’s Rasmus Svartström put the home team ahead at 7:25.
Penticton responded with three unanswered goals in the middle frame, as they led 3-1 after two periods. Casey Brown tied the game at 5:53 when he scored is second in as many games. Landon Wright gave the Vees their first lead at 11:29, as he scored his first 10 games. Then, Conyr Hellyer put Penticton up 3-1 at 14:36 when he banged in a pass from on the doorstep from Ryden Evers.
The Vees ran into penalty trouble in the first half of the third period. Cranbrook was given a four-minute power play, after a high sticking against Penticton. The Bucks scored on that extended look, as Shane Baker tipped in a point shot at 6:24, that cut the Vees’ lead to 3-2. Penticton then had to kill-off two more penalties before they got on even footing.
Oh Captain, Our Captain! @Fraser_Vees | @BCHockeyLeague pic.twitter.com/Hb4taJoqZ7
— Penticton Vees (@PentictonVees) November 16, 2024
After a success penalty kill, Hellyer tacked on an insurance marker at 17:19, after being set up by Luke Posthumus on a two-on-one. Hellyer’s second of the game.
Cranbrook’s Patrick Murphy shrunk the Vees lead to 4-3 when he scored with the goalie pulled just 40 seconds left in regulation. However, that’s as close the Bucks got in the third period.
GAME NOTES
Callum Stone had a pair of assists in the win and now has amassed six points in just the last three games. Ryden Evers extended his point streak to three games with an assist. Anselmo Rego had an assist Friday, and now has four points in his last three games.
GAME STATS
Shots: Vees- 31 Bucks- 26
Scoring: Conyr Hellyer (5,6), Casey Brown (2), Landon Wright (7)
Goaltending: Will Ingemann (W) 23/26, 60:00
Vees Power-Play: 0/2
Vees Penalty-Kill: 3/4
Three Stars:
- Conyr Hellyer
- Shane Baker
- Malachi Freh
Up Next: The Vees (14-5-0-0) finish their road trip Saturday, November 16, against the Trail Smoke Eaters (11-6-1-1) at Cominco Arena; puck drop is 7:00 pm PST.