A 3-1 win over the SilverBacks in Salmon Arm keeps the Penticton Vees atop the BCHL’s Interior Division.
Riley Alferd buried the winner, his seventh goal of the season, 13 seconds into the third period. The SilverBacks struck first against Vees goalie Olivier Mantha when Evan Anderson finished a play setup by Landon Smith and Alex Gillies 6:48 into the first.
Ben Dalpe got the Vees back on even terms on the power-play at 15:09 of the second. The Vees’ third and final goal came courtesy of captain Brad McClure into an open net setup by Erik Benoit. McClure also got an assist to give him 79 points in 57 games.
The Vees went 1-for-3 on the man advantage and killed off both SilverBack chances. Mantha finished with 19 saves for the win, while Angus Redmond made 32 saves in the loss.
The Vees improve to 35-16-3-4 for 76 points with the win.
McClure now trails Smith by two points for the Brett Hull Trophy. Victoria Grizzlies forward Myles Fitzgerald has snuck past McClure for second in league scoring with 80 points in 57 games.
The Vees will wrap up the regular season against the SilverBacks at the South Okanagan Events Centre on Saturday, puck drop is 6 p.m.
