Christmas break will be easier for the Penticton Vees to enjoy as they come off back-to-back wins.
The Vees defeated the Vernon Vipers on Friday 3-1 in Vernon then returned home to down the Nanaimo Clippers 5-2 Saturday at the South Okanagan Events Centre. Sam Mellor was among the keys for the Vees on the night as he opened the scoring on the power play. The Cranbrook minor hockey product then netted the winner to give the Vees a 3-1 lead. Mellor scored his goal with 27 seconds remaining in the last penalty of a two-man advantage. Mellor's shot beat Clippers goalie Jayson Argue on his blocker side.
Rounding out the scoring for the Vees were Louie Nanne, Jedd Soleway, who used Wade Murphy as a decoy on a two-on-one play, and Cody Depourq,who banged home his fifth of the season as he and linemates Travis Blanleil and Cam Amantea put pressure on the Clippers.
Mellor said that the team battled hard and had a big weekend.
"We capitalized on our chances and limited theirs," said Mellor on what was key Saturday. "It feels great to come out and have a good night, contribute to goals."
The crowd of 1,575 watched as Chad Katunar turned aside 33 of 35 Clippers shots. Argue finished with 24 saves on the night.