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Vees’ John Siemer sticks to playing his game

Vees John Siemer enjoys day off from hockey and BCHL playoffs
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WEST KELOWNA WARRIORS’ Brett Zarazun makes sure Penticton Vees forward John Siemer doesn’t leave the offensive zone without some special attention.

On a much needed day off, Penticton Vees forward John Siemer kicked back at a park and enjoyed the sun Wednesday.

Players were given the day off following a 5-4 overtime loss to the West Kelowna Warriors Tuesday night at Royal LePage Place.

Siemer said it helped a lot to get his mind off hockey after what he described as a devastating result that followed a tiring double-overtime win Monday.

“You don’t like to lose, especially in the playoffs,” said Siemer, who joined the Vees Jan. 10 in a trade from the Coquitlam Express. “Personally, I wasn’t expecting to lose.”

While the Vees look to finish off the Warriors Thursday night (check www.pentictonwesternnews.com for story), Siemer said he feels they have controlled the BCHL Interior Conference Final. Mistakes on their part what cost them Game 4 he said.

Being one win away from facing the Surrey Eagles for the Fred Page Cup, which the Vees won last year, Siemer has good reason to feel like they are on top.

“Our team is feeling good,” said Siemer.

Facing the Warriors has been a physical battle as Siemer said they are hard on the puck and finish checks. Siemer has been on the wrong end of a few hits, especially in one area.

“I get taken down every time I go to the net,” he said. “It’s in the daily job I guess. I’m kind of used to it being a smaller guy (five-foot-nine, 175 pounds). Just can’t let it frustrate me and push forward.”

He also praised the Warriors’ offensive abilities. Heading into Game 5, the Vees had scored 20 goals to the Warriors’ 14.

Siemer, sixth in team scoring with three goals and eight points in as many games, said he had a slow start the first two games against the Warriors. To him he’s picked it up the last two games. His three assists in the series all came in Game 4. The Glendora, Cal., product defines a good game for him as making an impact by either sacrificing his body to block a shot, chipping the puck out, not losing possession at the blue line or turning it over in other areas. How about production?

“That comes along with playing well, I guess,” said Siemer, who will join Northern Michigan Wildcats mens team next fall. “First game in West Kelowna wasn’t my best. I had opportunities and could have buried a couple. Hit the post and didn’t work out the way I wanted, but we still won so it was no big deal.”

Siemer’s three assists came from setting up Sam Mellor twice, and Brad McClure. Siemer’s game including making slick plays. He admits it’s something a lot of players are accused of but it’s a necessary evil.

“I feel like if you do something too cute, maybe it opens up lanes,” he said. “Maybe you get an opportunity out of it.”

Plus, when the plays work, it gets fans out of their seats. It also might give him a well-deserved day off to enjoy the sun.