Game Recap: Smokes rally late to beat Vees in OT

Photo: Jack Murray

Penticton, B.C. – In a hard-fought contest, the Penticton Vees were edged out 3-2 in overtime by the Trail Smoke Eaters, Saturday at the South Okanagan Events Centre (SOEC).

The Vees dressed just nine forwards on Saturday due to injury and the shorthanded lineup grinded out a much deserved point, as their point streak was extended to 11 games (9-0-2-0).

Penticton was so close to the weekend sweep, as they led 2-1 late in the third period before the Smoke Eaters tied the game with under three minutes left in regulation. Jason Stefanek tied it for the visitors, then won it in overtime on a rebound in front of the Vees net. The Vees coming up just short, despite never trailing in the game.

Anselmo Rego and Matthew Cataldo scored for Penticton. Their linemate Luke Posthumus had two assists. That line did all the scoring for the Vees, as the three combined for six points.

Stefanek scored twice for the visitors and Lucas Lemieux scored on a power play, as the Smoke Eaters extended their win streak to six games. Trail is just one point back of second place Brooks.

Trail netminder Teagan Kendrick stopped 38 shots and was named the third star. Kendrick was a big reason why the Smoke Eaters had a chance late, as he stopped 28 of 29 shots through 40 minutes.

The Vees’ Will Ingemann suffered his first loss in since November 22^nd, as he surrendered three goals on 21 shots. Ingemann had won his last four.

Rego opened the scoring eight minutes into the first period, as the Vees went ahead 1-0. Rego’s 10^th of the season slid underneath the pad of the trail goaltender.

Lemieux tied it for Trail at 16:42 of the first period on a point shot that found its way through traffic during a Smoke Eaters power play.

It stayed 1-1 up until the opening shift of the third period. Cataldo scored just 18 seconds into the frame to give the Vees a 2-1. Cataldo scored right out front of the net after Posthumus’ feed from behind the goal.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Penticton’s home point streak now sits at eight games. Their home record is 10-1-2-0 through 13 games.
• Luke Posthumus has recorded 14 points in his last 10 games (10 G, 4 A) and has points in 9 of his last 10 games
• Anselmo Rego has two goals and four points in his last two games

GAME STATS 

Shots: Vees- 40 Smoke Eaters-21

Scoring: Anselmo Rego (10), Matthew Cataldo (7)

Goaltending: Will Ingemann (L) 18/21, 63:50

Vees Power Play: 0/2

Vees Penalty Kill: 0/1

Three Stars:

1) Anselmo Rego (1G, 1A)

2) Matthew Cataldo (1G, 1A)

3) Teagan Kendrick (38 SVS)

Attendance: 2,843

Up Next: The Vees (24-6-2-0) host the Salmon Arm Silverbacks on Friday, January 10^th, at 7:00 pm.