Game Recap: Vees comeback attempt falls short in Game Four
Photo: Matt Piotrowski
Brooks, AB – The Penticton Vees are facing elimination after their 6-3 loss to the Brooks Bandits, Tuesday night in Game Four of the Interior Conference Final.
The Bandits lead the best-of-seven series 3-1, with Game Five back in Penticton on Friday night.
The Vees made a valiant comeback attempt, after being down 4-0 midway through the second period. Penticton rallied for three unanswered goals to get within a goal in the third but ultimately came up just short.
Brooks put the game away with back-to-back empty net goals in the final two minutes.
Oscar Pantzare, Luke Posthumus, and Louie Wehmann scored for Penticton. Pantzare and Posthumus each finished with two points in the loss.
Ethan Buenaventura started for Penticton but surrendered three goals on four shots in 11 minutes of work. Will Ingemann was great in relief, as he came in and stopped 24 of 25 shots.
Penticton fell behind the eight ball early, as the Bandits scored three times in the first 11 minutes of the game to go up 3-0. Luke Bibby opened the scoring at 4:05 for Brooks. Then Cooper Pierson made it 2-0 at 9:25, before Parker Lalonde scored at 11:05 to put the Bandits up by three.
After the Bandits’ third goal the Vees swapped goalies, as Ingemann replaced Buenaventura.
Nic Peluso added to the Brooks’ lead midway through the second period, as he scored to make it 4-0 at 10:19. One of his four points in Game Four.
Pantzare got the comeback attempt started late in the second, as his point shot had eyes for the net, as he scored through at crowd at 17:32. His second of the playoffs.
It seemed the Vees had some momentum going into the third period, as they ended up scoring twice in the first 12 minutes to close the gap to one. First, Posthumus made it 4-2 after he scored on a rebound 3:04 into the third. Posthumus with two goals in as many games. Then, Louie Wehmann redirected Pantzare’s point shot past Bandits’ goaltender Zach Zahara at 12:30. His third cut the Bandits’ lead to 4-3.
After killing off a late penalty, the Vees pressed for the equalizer, as they pulled the goalie for the extra skater, but ultimately, they failed to convert. Brooks scored twice into the Vees’ empty net in the final minute and a half.
Penticton now faces a must win scenario on Friday night at the SOEC, as they look to force a Game Six back in Brooks on May 12th.
GAME STATS
Shots: Vees- 28 Bandits- 31
Scoring: Oscar Pantzare (2), Luke Posthumus (8), Louie Wehmann (3)
Goaltending: Will Ingemann (L), 48:02, 24/25
Ethan Buenaventura, 11:05, 1/4
Vees Power Play: 0/3
Vees Penalty Kill: 4/4
Three Stars:
1) Nick Peluso (2G, 2A)
2) Luke Bibby (1G)
3) Anselmo Rego (1A)
Up Next: Game 5, Friday, May 9th, vs. Brooks Bandits, 7:00 pm PDT. Tickets available at www.vlleyfirsttix.com, or in person at the Valley First box office at the SOEC.