An altered Penticton Vees roster heads to Merritt to take on the Centennials tonight.
Chad Katunar, 8-1-0, got the nod to play goal and see more action, as starter Michael Garteig is injured. Vees coach-GM Fred Harbinson briefly discussed the situation during the Vees Coach’s Corner segment last night. The Vees are also without Connor Reilly until the playoffs.
The Vees have called up Jordan McCallum of the Summerland Steam, who scored 25 goals and recorded 65 points in 46 games in his second Kootenay International Junior Hockey League season. In seven games as an affiliate player with the Vees, McCallum scored once. The 18-year-old from Summerland will play with Cody DePourcq and Grant Nicholson, while Curtis Loik will line up with Travis St. Denis, who moves back to centre, and Mario Lucia.
Defenceman Kyle Beaulieu, who has been out with an upper body injury, will begin handling the puck again during practice.
The Vees and Centennials will square off in the Nicola Valley Arena with puck drop at 7 p.m. The last time both teams met on Feb. 25, the Vees won 2-1 in double-overtime. St. Denis netted the winner with 45 seconds remaining.
“We want to get after them, have a strong start,” said Harbinson of the approach to take against the Centennials.
The Centennials have clinched a playoff spot with 66 points, but are just four points ahead of the Prince George Spruce Kings for second, and the Spruce Kings have one game in hand.
The Vees have tied the Alberni Valley Bulldogs' record of 19 consecutive road wins.
On Friday, the Vees host the Salmon Arm SilverBacks at 7 p.m., and the Chilliwack Chiefs at 5 p.m. on Saturday.