Connor Chartier paced the Penticton Vees attack with five points in a 6-3 win over the Trail Smoke Eaters at Cominco Arena Saturday.
Chartier, who turned 21 Thursday, scored two goals, while setting up Lewis Zerter-Gossage for the winner at 16:42 of the second period.
The Vees played with 16 players. Along with Matt Serratore being injured, Patrick Newell is also injured and Gabe Bast didn’t dress, while Miles Gendron is suspended two games for a blow-to-the-head penalty late in the Merritt game.
The Vees opened the scoring on Cody DePourcq’s ninth goal of the season. Dallas Calvin tied in the first period, then Charlie Zuccarini gave the Smoke Eaters a lead 47 seconds into the second period on a power play. The Vees tied it at two on a goal by Steen Cooper and the Smoke Eaters took their final lead, 3-2 on a goal by Bryan Basilico.
Chartier, Zerter-Gossage, Chartier again and Cam Amantea scored four unanswered goals. The Vees fired 45 shots at Brett Clark.
Hunter Miska turned aside 24 shots for his 23rd win.
