Max Coatta potted the winning goal for the Penticton Vees against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in the BCHL Bauer Showcase in Chilliwack.
Coatta's goal, setup by Josh Blanchard and Anthony Conti, gave the Vees a 3-2 win in their second and final game during the Showcase. Gropp, who scored the winner in the first game against the Victoria Grizzlies, opened the scoring 8:41 into the first period. Scoring the other Vees goal was Travis Blanleil setup by Gropp and Ben Dalpe at 10:52 of the second period.
Hunter Miska made his Vees debut and turned aside 16 shots for his first BCHL win.
In the opening game of the BCHL Showcase, Dalpe didn’t disappoint in his debut. He setup both Vees goals, as Penticton edged the Grizzlies 2-1 Friday afternoon.
Dalpe had a hand in Gropp’s game-winner late in the second period. During the Vees third power-play, Dalpe worked the puck to Gropp on the boards, who then stick handled into the slot and wired a wrist shot off the post and past the outstretched arm of former Vee Nic Renyard.
Vees captain Brad McClure scored the first goal of the BCHL season just sixty-eight seconds into the first period. McClure was hit with a pass from Gropp out of the corner and from the hash marks beat Renyard on the blocker-side. Dalpe fed the puck to Gropp in the corner, who then found McClure.
Olivier Mantha was given the start in goal for the Vees. His only blemish during a 25-save performance came on a goal by Nick Charif.