The Penticton Vees swept their Lower Mainland road trip with a 6-2 win over the Coquitlam Express, Saturday at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Centre.
The Vees have now won four in a row and extended their point streak to 11 games (10-0-1-0). Penticton remains eight points ahead of West Kelowna in the battle for top spot in the division with a game in hand on the Warriors.
“We got out to a great start and that was impressive considering how long of a day it was leading up to the game. Our inexperience showed a little bit in the second, but we came up with a great third period push led by Billy’s line,” said assistant coach Matthew Vanden Berg post-game.”
Billy Renfrew recorded a hat-trick in the win to lead the offence. His linemates also had a big night, as James Fisher recorded three assists and Anselmo Rego had a pair of helpers. Renfrew was named the first star for the second night in a row and now has four goals and seven points in his last three games.
“Billy just shows up and works every day. He knows what makes him effective and he doesn’t get wrapped up in trying to be something he’s not. He plays the right way and gets rewarded,” remarked Vanden Berg.
Penticton got some help from their blueline, as defenceman Lucas Sorace and Larry Keenan scored in the win. Thomas Pichette rounded out the scoring with an empty net goal late in regulation.
Andrew Ness earned the win in goal for the Vees as he stopped 25 of 27 shots for his 14th win.
The line of Renfrew, Fisher, and Rego combined for eight points in Saturday’s win. Fisher extended his point streak to nine games. He has six goals and 13 points in his last nine.
The night before Vees goaltender Will Ingemann set a new BCHL record for the longest shutout streak, in the Penticton Vees 5-3 win over the Langley Rivermen at George Preston Arena.
Ingemann’s shutout streak of 260 minutes and nine seconds is now officially the longest streak in BCHL history. Ingemann passed former Powell River Kings’ goaltender Jonah Imoo who held the record since 2012.
Penticton is now 7-0-1-0 in their last eight road games and own the league’s best road record at 15-5-3-2.
NEXT HOME GAME: The Vees (34-7-3-2) play Merritt on Saturday, March 9; puck drop is 6 p.m.