Owen Sillinger and Tyson Jost each potted a pair of goals as the Penticton Vees silenced the Chilliwack Chiefs 8-1 at the South Okanagan Events Centre Friday night.
Facing the Mainland Division’s best team, Jost, named the game’s first star after a five-point performance, gave the crowd of 2,403 something to cheer about early with a goal 57 seconds into game. it was his 27th of the season. Five minutes later, Sillinger potted what proved to be the winner as he went hard to the net for his 11th.
“We knew they were going to come in here and try to make a statement,” said Vees defenceman Seamus Donohue, who scored his first junior A goal in the third period to give the Vees a 7-1 lead. “I think right out of the gate, we came out a little harder than they did. Just wanted it a little more.”
The Chiefs were outshot 11-6 in the first period, but created chances. The first by Dennis Cholowski who beat Brodeur, but ranghis shot off the crossbar. Not long after, Taylor Allan scored the Chiefs lone goal at 13:15. He beat Brodeur stickside for his second of the season. Less than a minute later, Jost and Nicholas Jones set up Scott Conway, who one-timed a shot from the high slot for his 43rd of the season. A minute after that and the Vees scored two goals in 14 seconds by Luke Voltin, his fourth, and David Eccles, his second.
Nearly five minutes into the second period, Sillinger scored his second of the game. Jost added his second at 10:18 assisted by Dante Fabbro and Ben Brar.
Donohue said that Jost’s first goal helped a lot.
“Jost buries it like it’s easy,” he said. “He always makes it look easy. It as a great shot by him.”
The Vees started the game with five defenceman and finished with four when Eccles received a five-minute major for fighting and a game misconduct at 18:51 after Ryan Forbes hit Brodeur behind his goal.
Donohue said one of the things the team did well was having the forwards support the defence with hard backchecking.
“That always helps us out, especially when we are low on D,” he said.
Demico Hannoun collected three assists on the night, Jones two assists, as did Donohue, Fabbro and Griffin Mendel. Brodeur made 23 saves. Chiefs goalie Aiden Pelino was replace by Matteo Esposito after allowing his eighth goal on 22 shots.
On Saturday, the Vees make their first trip to Wenatchee to take on the Wild. They are having their fire fighter appreciation night, which is expected to be sold out.
“We’re all excited to see that,” said Donohue.
