The Penticton Vees outshot the Merritt Centennials 15-5 in the third period, but couldn’t generate a tying goal, losing 2-1 in the Nicola Valley Arena Friday night.
it’s the second 2-1 loss for the Vees in consecutive games after they lost at home to the West Kelowna Warriors on Wednesday evening. Centennials goalie Devin Kero stopped 14 of the 15 shots he faced to help the home team secure the win.
The Vees outshot the Centennials 11-9 in the first period, but the score remained scoreless. Diego Cuglietta scored the game’s first goal at 9:52 of the second. The Vees tied the game seven seconds into the third period on a power play goal by captain Brad McClure. The goal is his 34th of the season. Daniel Nachbaur buried the winner past Hunter Miska, who finished with 21 saves.
Vees defenceman Chris Rygus served the final game of his two-game suspension for a blow to the head. In his place was affiliate player Wyatt Trumbley of the Osoyoos Coyotes in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, as reported on the Three V’s Blog.
The Vees, 27-11-2-3, look to get back to their winning ways Saturday night when they host the Salmon Arm SilverBacks, 20-17-1-5, at the South Okanagan Events Centre at 6 p.m.
