Garrett Milan netted a hat trick and BCHL scoring leader Denver Manderson continued his torid offensive pace on Saturday, as the Penticton Vees scored early and often in a 9-1 home ice victory over the Merritt Centennials. The win avenged a late September loss to the Cents by Penticton.
The Vees scored five times in the first period, with Logan Johnston opening their account at the 1:07 mark before Milan fired in the eventual game winner just over a minute later. Matt Paltridge, Beau Bennett and Eric Filiou rounded out the scoring in the opening 20, while Joey Laleggia and Denver Manderson accounted the rest of Penticton's offence before Milan completed his hat trick 24 seconds from the end of regulation.
Derek Hills scored the lone marker for the Centennials, with Jeff Jones and Andrew Pickering picking up assists.
Joel Rumpel allowed just a single goal on 24 shots in net for the Vees to pick up the win, while Cole Holowenko and Keith Hamilton split duties in the Merritt crease.
Penticton is now idle until Wednesday when they open a four-game Vancouver Island road trip in Victoria. The Cents, meanwhile, begin a home-and-home series with Westside on the road on Friday.
