The Penticton Vees took a 3-2 loss Saturday after going into overtime against the Prince George Spruce Kings.
The Vees (10-6-1-2) tied the game shortly after the Spruce Kings (14-6-1) had taken the lead in the third, but the Spruce Kings captain added another in overtime handing the Vees a 3-2 loss.
The Vees first goal came in the first after David Silye got control and faked like he was going to skate behind the net and come out the other side.
That got Prince George goalie Logan Neaton to turn his head, and Silye then slid the puck out to the front of the net for Ryan Sandelin who fired home his tenth of the year to give the Vees a 1-0 lead heading into the intermission.
Ben Brar tied the game for Prince George when he redirected a pass from Dustin Manz past Derek Krall 5:26 into the second period. The game remained 1-1 through 40 with the shots 15-12 Prince George.
The Vees took two penalties just 19 seconds apart early in the third period, giving the Spruce Kings a lengthy two-man advantage, which they were unable to capitalize on.
With 41 seconds left on the first Vees penalty, Layton Ahac was called for interference cutting it down to a 4-on-3 power play. After Peter Muzyka stepped out of the box, Ben Poisson gave Prince George a 2-1 lead by finding a rebound in skates and beating Krall on the glove side.
After Sandelin stepped out of the box, James Miller fired a wrist shot from the left point that sailed over the glove of Neaton just 26 seconds after Prince George had taken the lead, setting the stage for overtime.
In overtime, the Vees had a few good chances including Linell being upended as he tried to cut around a defender, but the Spruce Kings scored on their third shot of the extra frame.
Patrick Cozzi dropped the puck off for Poisson in the right circle who had a lane to the net and cut in front of Krall before jamming the puck through the five-hole to seal the win for the Spruce Kings.
Penticton now begins a stretch of five weeks in a row with three games per week. It all begins Wednesday when the Vees head to Vernon to play the Vipers (8-6-4-2).
Steve Kidd
Senior reporter, Penticton Western News
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