Patrick Sexton's second goal of the season won the game for the Penticton Vees 3-2 against the Trail Smoke Eaters.
Sexton disappointed the crowd of 921 in Trail's Cominco Arena with his winner with 37 seconds remaining in the second period. The Vees had trailed 2-0 as Riley Brandt and Dylan Mascarin scored for the Smoke Eaters.
The Vees began their comeback a minute after Mascarin scored when captain Brad McClure beat Smoke Eaters goalie Adam Todd. Ben Dalpe scored the equalizer short-handed at at 14:24. Sexton's winner came just under five minutes later. Sexton's other goals this season was also scored in Cominco Arena on Sept. 14.
"Patrick Sexton scored a huge one in the last minute of the second period," said Vees coach Fred Harbinson. "In the third I thought we kind of kept everything to the outside. Got out of their with two big points."
Todd was named the game's second star as he finished with 40 saves, 16 of those in the first period and another 17 in the second. Olivier Mantha was in goal for the Vees and made 30 saves, including 12 in second and third periods. He earned his 14th win of the season. The penalty killing units for both teams were perfect as the Smoke Eaters killed off six chances and the Vees five.
The Vees swept their weekend road trip, which began with a win in Vernon, and improve to 27-9-2-3.
During the weekend the Vees made a final move sending 20-year-old defenceman Blake Butzow to the Cowichan Valley Capitals for future considerations prior to the BCHL deadline on Jan. 10. Harbinson, also the Vees' general manager, said the move was to make room for a 20-year-old spot, while also giving defenceman Jarod Hilderman more playing time.
"We thought that Jarod Hilderman really progressed over the course of the year, he probably deserved a little better ice time," said Harbinson. "By moving Blake, it gave him an opportunity to play top minutes in Cowichan, clear up our deal earlier with the (Steen) Cooper deal."
In freeing up a 20-year-old spot, the Vees signed former Kelowna Rockets forward Shane McColgan, who was a free agent.
On Monday, the NHL released its listings for Central Scouting’s Mid-Term Rankings, ahead of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
Vees goalie Hunter Miska, defenceman Brett Beauvais, forward Jack Ramsey and committed recruit Warren Foegele were listed, the Vees released in a team statement. Miska is currently ranked 32nd amongst North American goalies and is one of only two BCHL goaltenders to crack the list. The Stacey, Minnesota product is 13-3-2-3 so far this season and is second in goals-against average (2.27) and fifth in save-percentage (.917) in the BCHL.
Beauvais is currently ranked 134th amongst North American skaters and is the highest ranked BCHL defenceman. The Summerside product leads all BCHL defensemen in scoring and is eighth overall with 10 goals and 49 points; 15 points better than the second-highest scoring defenceman. Beauvais is committed to Bemidji State University for next season.
Ramsey is currently ranked 151st amongst North American skaters and is third amongst BCHL forwards. The Chanhassen, Minn. product is second in rookie scoring on the Vees with seven goals and 18 points and has a goal and three points in his last five games. Ramsey is committed to the University of Minnesota.
Foegele is currently ranked 62nd amongst North American skaters and is the highest ranked prep school player in Canada, third highest amongst North American skaters. The Markham, Ont. product currently plays for the Varsity squad at St. Andrew’s College in Aurora, Ont. Foegele leads the Varsity team in scoring, with 29 goals and 56 points in just 26 games. Foegele is committed to the University of New Hampshire for 2015.
Philadelphia is hosting NHL Entry Draft June 27-28.
For more Vees coverage, check Wednesday's issue of the Penticton Western News.