Game Recap: Vees season ends with Game Six loss in Brooks
Photo: Matt Piotrowski
The Penticton Vees season came to an end on Monday, after their 3-1 loss to the Brooks Bandits in Game Six of the Interior Conference Final, at Centennial Regional Arena.
The Bandits win the best-of-seven series in seven games and advance to the BCHL Final.
The loss also means the Vees 64-year history in the BCHL, which dates back to 1961, has come to an end, as the team prepares to join the WHL for the 2025-26 season.
Caton Ryan scored the Vees’ only goal in Monday’s setback. Ryan scored just 13 seconds into the second period to tie the game at that point 1-1. His sixth playoff goal and first of the series.
Penticton trailed 1-0 after 20 minutes and then 2-1 in the third period, before the Bandits sealed the win with an empty net goal.
Vees’ 20-year-old goaltender Ethan Buenaventura was Penticton’s best player as he made 33 saves and was named the third star in what turned out to be his final game of junior hockey. The Winnipeg, MB product was excellent through the first 40 minutes as he stopped 28 of 29 shots through two periods. Brooks outshot the Vees 29-10 in the first two periods.
Bandits defenceman Keith McInnis opened the scoring on the power play at 11:36 of the first period. His one-timer from the face-off circle beat Buenaventura over the glove.
It took the Vees just 13 seconds to tie the game in the second period. Conyr Hellyer set up Caton Ryan on the opening shift of the period, as he scored his sixth to tie it 1-1.
The game stayed tied up until nearly seven minutes into the third when Brooks’ Jack Good the eventual game-winner. Good’s shot from the slot appeared to clip a Vees’ stick as he beat Buenaventura on the blocker side at 6:54. Good’s goal was his first point of the series.
The Vees pressed with the goalie pulled and came close, but The Bandits Parker Lalonde sealed the series win with his empty net goal at 19:01.
GAME STATS
Shots: Vees- 25 Bandits- 37
Scoring: Caton Ryan (6)
Goaltending: Ethan Buenaventura (L), 55:58, 33/35
Vees Power Play: 0/2
Vees Penalty Kill: 2/3
Three Stars:
1) Jack Good (1G)
2) Zach Zahara (24 SVS)
3) Ethan Buenaventura (33 SVS)
The Penticton Vees organization congratulates the Brooks Bandits on their Interior Conference championship and wish them all the best in Fred Page Cup Final against Chilliwack.
The Vees would like to thank the BCHL for the last 64 years and they thank the league for decades of unforgettable rivalries, championships, and memories that shaped generations of players and fans.
Lastly, to our dedicated fans, sponsors, and volunteers, thank you. We appreciate your unwavering support, and we look forward to starting this new era of Vees hockey with you.