The Penticton Vees could not overcome a 3-0 deficit on Wednesday night, eventually falling to the Prince George Spruce Kings 6-2 on the road in B.C. Hockey League (BCHL) action.
There was a time during the Vees’ latest game when it seemed as though the team was going to complete an impressive comeback.
Penticton trailed 3-0 late in the second period before clawing its way back to make it a one-goal game. Three unanswered goals from Prince George in the third frame, however, put the affair out of reach for good.
Josh Niedermayer and Josh Nadeau were Penticton’s lone goal scorers.
Meanwhile, in the crease, Vees netminder Colin Purcell made his first start since Nov. 13. The 19-year old came down with an illness that sidelined him for two months.
Purcell made 10 saves on 13 shots in his return before making way for Vees’ backup goaltender Carter Serhyenko, who made 12 saves in relief.
Prince George’s three consecutive goals in the second period cued the end of Purcell’s night.
Wednesday night marked the first Vees game since Jan. 12. The team was sidelined in the early goings of 2022 because of COVID-19 and later denied entry into the United States on Jan. 15 when travelling for its game against the Wenatchee Wild.
READ MORE: Penticton Vees denied entry into United States
Penticton has yet to win a game in 2022 after falling to the West Kelowna Warriors on New Year’s Day and Salmon Arm Silverbacks on Jan. 12 prior to the team’s most recent loss in Prince George.
The Vees (21-6-0-2) will return home on Friday (Jan. 21) when they host the Merritt Centennials (2-25-1-0) at the South Okanagan Events Centre (SOEC).
The team will honour its season-ticket holders during Friday’s game with a Season Ticket Members Appreciation Night at 7 p.m.
For tickets, fans are asked to visit valleyfirsttix.com.
READ MORE: Injury sidelines Penticton Vees captain for the rest of BCHL season
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logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com
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