The Penticton Vees extended their win streak to five games courtesy of a 3-1 win against the Vernon Vipers at the South Okanagan Events Centre Friday night.
Vees forward Cody DePourcq opened the scoring with his eighth goal of the season as he burst by the Vipers defender. Once the five-foot-six pivot got in close on Austin Smith he roofed the puck upstairs. The winning goal came off the stick of former Viper Jedd Soleway, who was given room to skate to the net and beat Smith five-hole. It's his sixth goal since joining the Vees. Mason Blacklock did inch the Vipers to within one but in the third period, Wade Murphy tallied his 18th goal of the season and sealed the win. Vees goalie Chad Katunar finished with 26 saves on the night, while Austin made 28 saves.
"It unbelievable," said Vees captain Troy Stecher of the way they played. "It's a great win. It's a good step forward."
Stecher was especially happy that they held the Vipers to just three shots in the third period.
"We showed that we can play with the lead," said Stecher, whose team played in front of a crowd of 2,425. "Everyone came back into the house."
Tonight, the Vees host the West Kelowna Warriors at 5 p.m.