Penticton Vees clip Nanaimo in first place showdown

PENTICTON – The much maligned power-play picked the perfect time to come to life. The Penticton Vees scored twice with the man-advantage, including the game-winner in the third, as the edged the Nanaimo Clippers 4-2 at the SOEC Friday, Feb. 13.

Friday was billed as a first place showdown and it didn’t disappoint as the Vees (39-9-3-2) and Clippers (36-14-0-3) went toe-to-toe, as both teams are gunning for the BCHL regular season pennant.

Demico Hannoun scored twice and Tyson Jost finished with a game-high three assists, as the Vees beat the Clippers for the first time since in nearly three years. Jack Ramsey also scored on the power-play for the Vees, who snapped a three-game winless skid.

Yanni Kaldis and Nicolas Carrier scored for Nanaimo, who came into Friday’s contest riding a mini two-game win streak.

The Vees had a great start, as they buzzed the Clippers net with a handful of good chances but it was a late power-play that broke a scoreless deadlock. Jack Ramsey took a couple healthy whacks at the puck in the crease before jamming it past Guillaume Decelles at 16:36; his first in seven games.  That was the Vees first power-play goal in seven games.

The Vees double their lead early in the second after Connor Chartier was awarded a penalty-shot. Chartier showed off some great hands, out waiting the Clippers goaltender on a great deke in close; Chartier scoring his 11th at 4:51.

Nanaimo cut into the Vees lead late in the second period, after Yanni Kaldis got the Clippers on the scoreboard. Kaldis took a feed from the corner and went up high on Hunter Miska at 14:09.

Hannoun restored the Vees two-goal lead early in the third on another power-play. Hannoun cranked a one-timer from the left-circle for his 20th of the season at 6:45; his first in seven games as well.

Hannoun then got a gift for his second, as he took the puck away from Decelles from behind the Nanaimo net and banked in his 21st at 9:58.

Nicolas Carrier pulled the Clippers within two inside the final five-minutes of the third on a nice rush down the right-wing at 15:14 but that’s as close as they would get.

Final Score: 4-2 Vees

Shots: 38-30 Vees

Power-Play: Vees 2-4 Nanaimo 0-3

Three Stars: 1) Demico Hannoun 2) Tyson Jost 3) Hunter Miska

Attendance: 2,288

The Vees improve their record 6-2-1-1 against the Island Division and pick up their first win against Nanaimo since December 15th, 2012; they had lost their last three against the Clippers. The two teams split the season series after Nanaimo edged the Vees in overtime on November 8th.

The Vees wrap-up their weekend Saturday night in Trail, as they face the Smoke Eaters for the seventh and final time this season. Trail won 8-7 in overtime in West Kelowna on Friday and beat the Vees 3-2 in overtime back on January 31st. Fans can listen to the game on EZ Rock AM 800, or watch online at www.fasthockey.com.