The Penticton Vees, fresh off an impressive though COVIDly shortened 18-1-0-1 2020-21 season and five straight exhibition wins, did what they do best at Friday night's 2021-22 opener against long-time rivals Vernon Vipers.
Win. Convincingly.
The game, played at the SOEC in front of an announced sell-out crowd that numbered just 2,500 due to pandemic restrictions, delivered more yawns that thrills during a lackluster first period.
But defenseman Luc Wilson injected some excitement late in the frame, charging deep into the Vipers end and deftly shaking off a defender before firing a goal-mouth pass to captain Fin Williams. Williams sent a shot high into the Vipers' cage for a 1-0 lead.
Less than two minutes later at 19:04 came the first of two goals on the night from the stick of another Vees d-man -- this time Josh Niedermayer -- when he scored on a rebound from a Williams shot.
Penticton doubled its advantage in a dominating second where they outshot their northern Okanagan opposition 16-3. Casey McDonald with his first and Niedermayer with his second of the season and the game made the score going into the third 4-0.
The Vipers made the contest seem closer than it was in the final stanza, scoring two goals, off the sticks of Reagan Milburn and Ryan Shostak, late in the period. The latter came during a power play.
The final shots on goal tally read 28-14 in favour of the home team.
The opening faceoff Friday night was delayed as the Vees raised banners and held ceremonies commemorating the 1985/86 Centennial Cup-winning Penticton Knights. Indeed, several members of that Knights squad were on the ice for the pre-game festivities, and the Vees wore retro Knights jerseys throughout.
Penticton goes for two straight tonight when they take on the Wenatchee Wild at the SOEC. Game time is 6 pm.
