Submitted by Fraser Rodgers
Four different Penticton Vees hit the scoresheet as they proved too much for the Coquitlam Express to handle in a 4-1 decision at the Poirier Sports & Leisure Centre.
The Vees, now 31-6-2-1, fired a season-high 53 shots at the Express, 15-20-1-4, and controlled the game.
Jack Ramsey, who had a goal and an assist Wednesday, opened the scoring Friday thanks to a goalie gaffe. Express netminder Chris Tai misplayed the puck at the top of the crease and Ramsey was able to rake it across the goal line at 6:04.
The power-play then kicked into gear, as the Vees scored twice to build a three-goal lead. Gabe Bast made it 2-0 when his wrist shot from the blue line found its way through a crowd and underneath Tai.
Lewis Zerter-Gossage bagged another power play goal inside the final minute of the opening period. He finished off his end-to-end rush with a wrist shot from the right wing at 19:06.
The Vees fired 21 shots at Tai in the opening period.
The score didn’t change in the second despite the Vees pouring on the pressure. Tai was the story as he stood on his head, turning aside all 18 shots.
Tyson Jost picked up his second point of the night when he rippled the mesh in the third period. After he was stopped on a rush down the middle, Jost quickly regained the puck and got out of traffic before wiring a shot from the right circle.
Brett Supinski spoiled Hunter Miska’s shutout bid midway through the third. Corey Makin grabbed the puck behind the Vees net and fed Supinski in front, who forced a shot past Miska at the post.
The Vees remain undefeated against the Mainland Division, as they improve their record to 8-0-1-0 and bump their road record to 15-4-1-1 and now have won five of their last six games.
Vees defencman Dante Fabbro finished with game-high three points.
The Vees are off Saturday before returning to action at the South Okanagan Events Centre on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. when they host the Prince George Spruce Kings.
