After a heartbreaking loss on Friday against Salmon Arm, the Penticton Vees bounced back in Trail to end the weekend strong.
The Vees defeated the Smoke Eaters 6-3 on Sunday, after finding themselves down in the game on two different occasions. With the victory, Penticton (19-2-0-1) regained sole possession of first place in the Interior Conference.
But as the Vees continue to their quest to be the league’s best, the team and organization will put hockey aside for a few moments this week to honour one of their own.
As a result, the Vees won’t be playing in any ordinary game on Friday (Dec. 17) against the Vernon Vipers.
The team’s home showdown against their rivals to the north will serve as a night to honour the life and legacy of former team governor and fixture of the organization Neil Jamieson.
The Pen-Hi graduate passed away in June of 2020 after a two-year battle with cancer.
Jamieson will be added to the team’s Ring of Honour during a pre-game ceremony on Friday, becoming just the 16th person to be given the honour by the organization.
As an insurance company owner, sponsor of humanitarian projects, and fixture in the Vees’ organization for over 15 years, Jamieson made his mark on Penticton in several different ways.
The Vees will also wear their 60th-anniversary jerseys during the game that the team is calling a “Night For Neil.”
Along with being the team’s governor and serving as part of the ownership group, the Nelson-born businessman was also a sponsor of several humanitarian projects.
As for the Vees’ most recent effort on the ice, team forward Casey McDonald scored once and added an assist to put Penticton back into the win column.
Fred Harbinson’s squad outshot their opponent 46-22, giving the Smoke Eaters little to work with throughout the contest.
The Vees will look to take that momentum into Friday’s “Night For Neil” when they welcome the Vipers (6-11-3-3).
Along with honouring Jamieson and wearing their retro jerseys, the Vees will also host a car raffle.
One lucky winner will walk or drive out of the South Okanagan Events Centre with a car on Friday night.
For ticketing information, the team asks that you visit valleyfirsttix.com.
READ MORE: Shootout thriller: Salmon Arm Silverbacks break Penticton Vees’ win streak, win 4-3
READ MORE: Penticton Vees’ Luc Wilson, Josh Nadeau recognized by B.C. Hockey League
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