Brad McClure's goal 1:06 into the first period for the Penticton Vees was enough to defeat the Prince George Spruce Kings.
After Ben Dalpe set up the Vees captain in front of a crowd of 1,839 at the South Okanagan Events Centre Friday night, Cody DePourcq added an insurance marker shorthanded at 14:22 of the second period to seal a 2-0 decision.
Both team's power plays were contained as the Spruce Kings went 0-for-5 and the Vees 0-for-4. Olivier Mantha made 23 saves for his second shutout of the season. Jesse Jenks made 20 saves in a losing cause.
The Vees were without the services of Cam Amantea, who is recovering from an upper body injury, while Ryan Gropp was also kept out of the lineup. Vees play-by-play broadcaster Fraser Rodgers reported on his Three V's blog that Gropp sustained a lower body injury late last week. Rodgers also reported that the Vees called up Shane Bennett, the brother of Beau Bennett, to make his Vees debut. Bennett is playing with the Summerland Steam in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.
With the win, the Vees improve to 8-3-0, now 5-0-0 at home. Their next game is Saturday at 6 p.m. against the Powell River Kings.