After clashing in the playoffs last spring, storied BCHL rivals Penticton and Vernon won't be having a postseason rematch in 2025.
The Penticton Vees' win streak is at four games after the team overwhelmed the Vernon Vipers 7-1 at Kal Tire Place on March 15, and eliminated their Interior foes from playoff contention.
Aided by several multi-point performances and two goals from Ben Merrill, the Vees' win came one night after they beat the Spruce Grove Saints 5-2 at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
The Vees, who have matched their win total from last season (38), remain four points ahead of the Brooks Bandits atop the Interior Conference. The Alberta club has played one less game than Penticton.
After surrendering the first goal of the game at 5:25 of the first period, the Vees roared back to score seven unanswered markers in the next two-and-a-half periods.
Merrill was joined by Louie Wehmann, Eli McKamey, Conyr Hellyer, Max Heise and Ryden Evers as Penticton goal scorers.
Goaltenders Will Ingemann and Ethan Buenaventura split time in the crease last weekend, combining for 39 saves and two wins.
Game notes
Wehmann extended his goal streak to four games. He has six markers in his last seven contests.
In six games against Vernon this season, Evers had five goals and 13 points.
McKamey, the first player in league history to be granted exceptional status, scored his 11th and 12th goals in back-to-back games last weekend.
The Vees have four games left in the regular season, before the start of the BCHL playoffs.
Up next
Penticton is away from home this weekend, as it battles the Cranbrook Bucks on Friday, March 21, at Western Financial Place.
The Vees will then head to Alberta and meet the Okotoks Oilers on Saturday, March 22.
