Steven Fogarty’s 28th goal was the deciding tally as the Penticton Vees defeated the Prince George Spruce Kings 4-1 for their 37th straight victory.
While Spruce Kings goalie Kirk Thompson earned the game’s third star thanks to a 42-save performance, Fogarty found a crack in his wall. Busting in from the right side and cutting to the net, the former Edina Hornet managed to beat Thompson five-hole. The crowd of 2,311 rose to its feet in the South Okanagan Events Centre Sunday afternoon. During the second period, the Vees had several quality scoring chances, but couldn’t solve Thompson, who was finally exposed by Fogarty.
Early in the third period, Travis St. Denis extended the Vees lead to 3-1 when he skated around Thompson and tucked the puck into the empty cage. Connor Reilly started the play feeding Lucia, who fired a shot on Thompson. The goalie couldn’t handle the rebound and St. Denis was all over it. Bryce Gervais then put the game away on a wraparound.
“I thought we showed a lot of intensity and jump in the second and third,” said Harbinson, whose team outshot the Spruce Kings 33-20 in the final two periods. I was really excited about how our guys actually got better as the game went on.”
Vees captain Logan Johnston opened the scoring when he redirected a Ryan Reilly shot above Thompson, which on the way back down landed in the net. Johnston was so excited about the goal and he dropped to one knee and pumped his fist.
After a slow first period, Johnston felt the Vees shut the Spruce Kings down in most areas.
“Their goalie played really well,” said Johnston, who scored his 11th goal of the season, three shy of his career high. “Then I thought we broke him down a little bit. They played well but I think we played a full shutdown game. It was tough for them.”
One area the Spruce Kings weren’t able to capitalize was on the power play. The Vees were a perfect four-for-four on the penalty kill.
With two goals on 13 shots in the third period, Vees rookie Mario Lucia said the final frame has been their best in the last four games.
“That’s how you win games winning the third period,” said Lucia, third in team scoring with 36 goals and 84 points in 50 games. “I think we have been playing good D and scoring when we have to.”
Former Vee Michael Betz scored the Spruce Kings lone goal, tying the game at one with 4:10 remaining in the first. The shot appeared to have deflected off of defenceman Nick Buchanan.
On Saturday, St. Denis scored with 45 seconds left in double-overtime to give the Vees a 2-1 win against the Merritt Centennials for their 36th straight win.
For more Vees coverage, check Wednesday’s issue of the Western News.