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Vees take tough loss to Salmon Arm

Vees defenceman takes power play goals scored against as an insult
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PENTICTON VEES captain Brad McClure (89) celebrates Max Coatta’s goal to open the scoring in their game against the Vernon Vipers in the South Okanagan Events Centre Oct. 25. The Vees won the game 6-5 in double-ovetime

Penticton Vees defenceman Patrick Sexton did not take it well when they gave up two power play goals in a 4-2 loss Saturday to the Salmon Arm SilverBacks.

“I personally take that as an insult because I play the penalty kill and our PK has been outstanding,” said Sexton. “That was frustrating.”

The Vees penalty kill is third best in the league at 86 per cent. On the first power play goal, Sexton said the SilverBacks made a nice play on a redirect. The second goal came from a back door feed. After watching game tape, the Vees noticed they weren’t positioned properly. As for the SilverBacks’ other two goals, Sexton chalked them up to being good plays.

“Other teams are allowed to make good plays, too,” he added.

After tying the game at one on a goal by Cam Amantea, the Vees fell behind 4-1. With a minute remaining, Sexton set up Cody DePourcq for his seventh goal of the season. Vees captain Brad McClure said the loss was a bit disappointing.

“Our focus wasn’t what it was on Friday night. It’s a learning lesson for us going into the next couple games,” he said.

McClure agreed that he and his teammates may have still been on cloud 9 from their big 6-5 double-overtime win, in which defenceman Brett Beauvais scored on a penalty shot after he was tripped in his own zone by Vernon Vipers defenceman Josh Bryan.

“You can’t be too high on the night before,” said McClure. “Move on and look forward to the next night.”

The matchup with the SilverBacks was the first of what could be four games without defencemen Beauvais, Alexandre Coulombe and Paul Stoykewych, who were invited to the Team Canada West camp in Calgary.

The Vees called up affiliate players Joshua Dacosta and Wyatt Trumbley of the Summerland Steam and Osoyoos Coyotes, respectively. Making his Vees debut was defenceman Clint Filbrandt, who joined the team from the Kootenay Ice in the Western Hockey League. McClure said he felt the three played very well, but the forwards didn’t do enough to generate scoring chances.

Filbrandt said his debut was exciting after meeting the team in Salmon Arm.

“I was pretty happy with my individual performance,” said Filbrandt, who was released by the Ice after they acquired two defencemen.

Sexton said that Filbrandt, a Calgary native, played well and team will only benefit from his addition.

“Competition amongst yourselves is always really good,” said Sexton. “Makes practice better, everybody works harder. It will be a good thing having him here.”

Filbrandt had other offers but decided the Vees would be the best option for him as he had a couple other teams interested. Filbrandt views this as a fresh start.

“I can fit into the D core pretty good here. I can transition the puck pretty quickly up to our quick forwards and just get on the offence right away,” said Filbrandt.

With the Vees not playing until Nov. 8, Filbrandt is going to use the time to learn the Vees’ systems and get to know his teammates better. The Vees are second in the Interior Division with a 11-4-1-1 record. they sit two points behind the West Kelowna Warriors.