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Jost, Chartier leading Vees offence

Penticton Vees forwards Tyson Jost and Connor Chartier have carried early offensive load in Western Canada Cup
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CAM AMANTEA OF the Penticton Vees flattens Jaryd Wiebe of the Portage Terriers during first period action of the Western Canada Cup on Tuesday afternoon.

After three games, Tyson Jost and Connor Chartier have scored eight of the Penticton Vees’ 19 goals in the Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup (WCC) in Fort McMurray, Alta.

That equals out to 42 per cent of the offence.

Jost, a Leduc, Alta., minor hockey product, opened the championship tournament with a three-goal effort in an 11-3 pounding of the Spruce Grove Saints on April 25. The next day Jost scored twice, including the winning goal in a 6-0 decision against the host Oil Barons. Jost also had an assist.

“Our line is playing good right now,” said Jost, named the BCHL’s player of the week, ending April 26, for his five-goal, six-point effort in the first two games. “We’re moving the puck well. Have a positive mentality going forward. Hopefully stuff will keep clicking.”

On the winning goal against the Oil Barons, Jost was the beneficiary of a great pass from Patrick Newell, who set up a shot from behind the net. After his shot went in, Jost just raised his arms in the air.

“Obviously you don’t want to go too crazy,” said Jost, when asked about his celebration. “It’s an exciting time of the year. You don’t want to show it too much. I was definitely still happy when I scored that goal.”

Jost’s totals add to his 14 points in 21 BCHL playoff games. Of those 14 points, 10 were goals. Jost said he’s been playing pretty good in the WCC so far.

“Our line has been clicking really well, moving the puck well. We are having lots of zone time,” he said. “It definitely helps when your line is clicking. The pucks are coming to me in the right spot. Getting a little lucky at times. It seems everything I’ve touched right now has been having the opportunity to go in the net. Credit my line mates for that.”

He’s also loving playing in the Casman Centre. The former CAC Canadian and Pursuit of Excellence player used to take road trips with his teams for games and provincial qualifiers.

“I can see myself when I was a little kid playing out there,” said Jost. “Nice to look back on. It’s definitely a cool experience.”

He said it’s also been great having his family there.

“It was good to see them. Cool to play in front of them,” said Jost, who used them as added motivator. “It was nice that I could get a few goals in front of them.”

The crowd of 718 to watch the Vees and Saints in the Casman Centre was quiet for the afternoon start. The next evening against the home team was a different story with a crowd of 979 in the 2,300 seat arena.

“It was definitely louder. It was a more energized game,” said Jost.

Confidence has continued to help Chartier have an impressive playoff season, but he also said everyone is rolling.

“I think it’s just about getting the pucks to the net. There has been a couple where I just had tap-ins,” said Chartier, who plays with Steen Cooper and Dakota Conroy. “Anyone could have put that one in. I would have gotten an earful for sure. Cooper and Conroy, they are doing the same thing they have done all year. We’ve been making good plays out there. Getting pucks to the net and finding each other.”

What the Vees have liked about their play is they are displaying their speed and skill. A big contributor to the Vees success has also been the play of goalie Hunter Miska. He turned aside 25 shots against the Saints and had to make key saves in the second period against the Oil Barons to finish with 23 saves for his first shutout. On Tuesday, Miska made 34 saves in a 3-2 loss against the Portage Terriers. It was the first game  that Jost and Chartier were held off the scoresheet. Scoring for the Terriers were Zack Waldvogel, Brad Bowles and Dane Schioler. Replying for the Vees were Matthew Serratore shorthanded, then Cam Amantea.

Vees notes: Defenceman Miles Gendron required stitches to his mouth when he was cut by the skate of Carson Perreaux in the first period. Gendron left the game but was able to return in the second period. Tug’s Tap House Pub and Eatery is live streaming all games until the end of the season. On Wednesday, they play the Melfort Mustangs (SJHL) at 6:30 p.m. PST. There will also be a signed Vees jersey up for grabs. Fans must attend a game at Tug’s Tap House to enter to win a jersey signed by the entire 2014/15 team. One entry per person. Minors (18 and under) are allowed to go with a parent/guardian until 7 p.m.