Those in attendance at the South Okanagan Events Centre on Friday night (March 25) got their money’s worth after two of the B.C. Hockey League’s best teams battled in an overtime thriller.
West Kelowna Warriors forward Tyler Cristall scored in the extra frame to propel his team to a 4-3 victory against the Penticton Vees (42-8-1-2), notching his second goal of the game in the process.
The Vees scored twice in the third period to tie the game after trailing 3-1 halfway through the final frame, courtesy of goals from Adam Eisele and Josh Nadeau.
In a potential playoff preview, the Vees and Warriors traded chances all night long, leaving both goaltenders with the task of keeping the game close.
Vees goaltender Kaeden Lane made 25 saves, while Warriors netminder Johnny Derrick was stellar, making 35 saves.
For Penticton, Friday marked the second to last game of the regular season before the team gets set to welcome the Trail Smoke Eaters for game one of the league’s playoffs on March 31.
Cristall was joined by Eisele as a two-goal performer.
West Kelowna jumped ahead early, leaving the first period with a 1-0 lead while forcing Penticton to play behind for the duration of the affair.
The Vees’ third-period comeback was spoiled, however, when the Warriors collected the extra point in overtime, leaving the more than 3,000 in attendance disappointed at the SOEC.
Penticton will wrap up its regular-season schedule on Sunday afternoon (March 27) when they welcome the Merritt Centennials to the South Okanagan.
Fans are encouraged to stay in their seats after the game’s conclusion for the team’s annual awards ceremony.
READ MORE: Penticton Vees close out 2021-2022 regular season this weekend, look ahead to playoffs
@lgllockhart
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com
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