Penticton looking for first win against Everett in WHL playoffs

The Penticton Vees are gearing up for game two as they trail behind the Everett Silvertips in the WHL western conference final.

The opening game of the series Thursday ended with a 4-1 loss as the Vees struggled until the third period to get on the scoreboard, outshot by Everett 31-24.

At the end of the regular season, they were the top two teams in the western conference and now find themselves in the league semi-finals after the Silvertips knocked out the Kelowna Rockets last weekend.

To start off the series, Everett scored twice before Penticton responded early in the third period, but the American squad deposited two more before the end of regulation.

The fourth period found the back of Penticton’s empty net, scored by defenceman Kayd Ruedig from behind Everett’s own goal line.

The Vees will stay in Everett for game two, Saturday, April 25, where the puck will drop at 7 p.m.

Although the Kelowna Rockets have been knocked out of the playoffs, the team remains on standby as the Prospera Place-hosted Memorial Cup tournament approaches.

The Vees will have to beat both Everett, then the eastern conference winners if they want a chance to take on the Rockets in Penticton’s first-ever WHL postseason.