Brett Beauvais provided the heroics for the Penticton Vees in a come from behind 4-2 win against the Trail Smoke Eaters Friday night.
The crowd of 2,523 had little to cheer for after a scoreless first period in which the Vees outshot the Smoke Eaters 9-7. Things didn’t get better as the Smoke Eaters opened the scoring midway through the second period on a power play goal by Scott Davidson. Less than two minutes later, it was 2-0 for Trail on a goal by Jesse Knowler. The Vees were outshot 12-9.
The Vees turned things around quickly on a fundraising night for team chaplain, Jamie Weberg. Three minutes into the final frame, Beauvais scored his 12th goal of the season on a setup by Jarod Hilderman and Erik Benoit. Twenty seconds later, Benoit tied things at two when Brad McClure and Steen Cooper set him up.
On the power-play, which didn’t generate much for solid chances in the first, struck has Beauvais potted the 3-2 goal, his 13th of the year, with Benoit and McClure credited with assists. Five minutes later, Cody DePourcq wasted little time in making Trail pay for taking a penalty for Too Many Men on the Ice. He was set up by Nic Pierog and Riley Alferd. The Vees’ man-advantage finished two-for-five, for 40 per cent on the night, while Trail went one-for-three.
Hunter Miska made 25 saves for his 18 win of the year. The Vees improve to 34-15-2-4 on the season and maintain a two-point lead on the West Kelowna Warriors for first in the Interior Division. The Vees play in Vernon tonight. The Vipers defeated the Salmon Arm SilverBacks 3-2 in overtime. The Vipers, who are hosting the 2014 RBC Cup, have officially clinched a playoff berth.
