The Penticton Vees pulled off a comeback last night at the South Okanagan Events Centre to beat the Merritt Centennials in an overtime shootout.
Mathieu Gosselin put Centennials on the board in the first period with a wrap around, besting Vees’ Jack Lafontaine. Shots in the first period were 12-8 for Merritt.
The game was tied up in the second when Luke Loheit got the puck over the pads of Vincent Duplessis. The Centennials responded with another goal at 8:10, making the score 2-1 thanks to a tag team play by Brendan Schneider and Rylan Van Unen.
Shots heading into the third period were 20 for both sides. Matt Kopperud gave Merritt an additional lead when he found the puck after a goal-mouth scramble, making the score 3-1.
Vees’ James Miller responded with a power play goal at 8:24. Then, Eric Linell tied the game just over four minutes later, forcing the teams into overtime play.
After neither team could find the back of the net, the game was sent into a shootout where Massimo Rizzo and Kopperud were both denied as first shooters.
Vees’ Cassidy Bowes bested Duplessis with a backhander and Gosselin hit the post. Conner Hutchinson finished off the game witha wrist shot past Duplessis’ blocker.
The Penticton Vees go on to face off against the Prince George Spruce Kings at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena. Puck drop is 7 p.m.
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