It came down to overtime again and the Penticton Vees were able to come one win closer in the BCHL finals.
The Vees edged the Nanaimo Clippers 2-1 on Monday night in Game 3 at Frank Crane Arena after Tyson Jost scored the winning goal 57 seconds into OT.
"We were really motivated and expected a lot coming to Nanaimo here and I thought we delivered," said Jost. "I thought we played a really good team game and we were working hard."
Clippers forward Nicolas Carrier opened the scoring when he went to the net in the first period. The Vees took over in the second period and finally tied things late in the frame when they got a puck up and over goalie Guillaume Decelles and Steen Cooper banged it home.
Nanaimo had a strong third period but neither team could break the tie in regulation.
"We were forechecking pretty hard and we didn't get the bounce," said Brendan Taylor, Clippers captain. "We had to continue that in overtime and unfortunately one little mistake cost us the game."
The Vees were able to steal the puck near the goal line and Jost was left open in the slot.
"I had a few chances early in the game and I wanted that one," he said. "It was a great play by my linemates there … so it was a gift out front."
Shots ended up 39-27 for the visitors, with goalie Hunter Miska earning the win for Penticton.
Fred Harbinson, Vees coach, said both teams had their moments during the three periods.
"They did a good job defending when we had our zone time and then vice versa – we were pretty calm in our own end. We didn't run around a lot. We were able to find the proper exits," Harbinson said.
There wasn't a lot of room out on the ice, he said, and expects that trend to continue as the series moves forward.
"It's a tough place to win, just like our building was. They found a way to win two and now it's our turn to try to find a way to win two here," said Harbinson.
Mike Vandekamp, Clippers coach, said the score of Game 3 would indicate that it was another tight game in a tight series.
"It's a disappointing loss, for sure, but it's very important that we rebound quickly from it," he said. "The turnaround's quick, we play again tomorrow and there's no room for guys getting too low here."
The Clippers recognize that, said Taylor.
"We're still in control," he said. "If it weren't for one shot there it would have been a totally different story. So we're just going to continue with our positive attitude and move into tomorrow."
GAME ON … Game 4 of the B.C. Hockey League finals goes Tuesday (April 14) at 7 p.m. at Nanaimo's Frank Crane Arena. The arena box office opens at 10 a.m. For ticket information, please visit www.nanaimoclippers.com or call 250-751-0593.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com
Penticton Vees defeat Nanaimo Clippers 2-1 in overtime. Tyson Jost scored the winner 57 seconds into OT… pic.twitter.com/LGPrbJl9sf
— Greg Sakaki (@BulletinSports) April 14, 2015