The Penticton Vees were preparing for the season at their Peaches Cup intrasquad game on Friday, Sept. 17.
The annual game saw Team Blue defeat Team White at the South Okanagan Events Centre (SOEC) by a score of 6-3, ahead of next week’s exhibition season.
The teams were made up of both Vees roster and affiliate players for the upcoming 2021-22 season.
For some players, it was their first action in over a year that was close to being in a full game, with both teams playing hard and fast from the start.
The first goal was scored just under nine minutes in, when Thomas Pichette snapped a shot past Team White goaltender Colin Purcell.
A tying goal from Ryan Hopkins set the teams on even footing heading into the second period.
READ MORE: Penticton Vees welcome back fans in person starting Sept. 24
The second period saw Team Blue retake and then expand their lead, first with a goal from Casey McDonald and then a follow-up from Josh Nadeau.
In the third period Tij Iginla opened the scoring with another goal for Team Blue, taking them to 4-1, before Jackson Nieuwendyk found a way past goalkeeper Kaeden Lane to narrow the lead.
Beanie Richter brought the game back to a one goal difference off a pass from Josh Nadeau’s brother Bradley, but the the third Team White goal would be their last.
Iginla picked up his second goal of the night and then Ethan Mann finished the scoring with an empty net goal in the final minute of the game.
The exhibition season kicks off on Sept. 24 at the SOEC with a game against the Vernon Vipers. The puck drops at 7 p.m., and tickets are now on sale and available in-person at the SOEC Box Office and online at valleyfirsttix.com.
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