Penticton last BC team standing in WHL playoffs

The Penticton Vees are heading to the western conference finals in their first WHL post-season after defeating Prince George in six games.

That make the Vees the only team in BC left in the WHL playoffs as they prepare to take on the Everett Silvertips, who knocked just knocked out Kelowna on Friday evening.

On April 19, the Vees came back from a two-goal deficit in the third period, taking the Prince George Cougars to overtime. Jacob Kvasnicka scored the game-winning goal off a rebound less than three minutes in, marking their fourth-straight win against Prince George.

Kelowna’s playoff run has come to an end and fans will have to wait for the upcoming Memorial Cup tournament at Prospera Place to see the Rockets hit the ice again.

The Everett Silvertips, who dominated the league in the regular season, beat the Kelowna Rockets in five games. The Rockets avoided a four-game sweep after a late recovery in game four, but the Silvertips came back with a strong offence on April 17.

They outshot the Rockets 55-31, but goalie Josh Banini fended off the Everett offensive until Silvertips winger Carter Bear slipped a wrist shot past Banini’s glove during a third period Rockets powerplay.

Although Kelowna was able tie the score and send it to overtime, Everett defenceman Landon Dupont scored the game-winner just 40 seconds into extra time.

The Vees will head to Everett for the first two games of the series, scheduled for April 23 and 25. Penticton will host the next pair on April 27 and 28.

As Penticton comes off a record-setting inaugural season, it’s set to be a tough battle against the regular season leaders. The teams played each other four times in the regular season and Penticton emerged victorious just once in October.