Photo credit: Garrett James Photography
Penticton Vees – 4
Alberni Valley Bulldogs – 3
Josh Nadeau had a goal and two assists, while Spencer Smith had a goal and a helper, including the game-winner in the third period, as the Penticton Vees held on to beat the Alberni Valley Bulldogs by a 4-3 final for the second night in a row to take a 2-0 series lead.
After a scoreless first period, Brett Moravec got the Vees on the board first with a goal 3:01 into the second, but Alberni Valley stormed back with a shorthanded marker by Brandon Buhr and another goal by Ethan Bono to take their first lead of the series. The lead lasted all of 55 seconds before Josh Niedermayer’s point shot found the back of the net for Penticton and Josh Nadeau buried his 12th of the playoffs 25 seconds later to make it 3-2 Penticton at intermission.
Spencer Smith extended the Vees lead to two goals 8:28 into the final frame, but Nicholas Beneateau potted his eighth of the playoffs and third of the final shortly after to cut the lead to one. The Bulldogs pressed hard in the rest of the way, throwing 11 shots on goal in the third period, but ultimately fell one goal short.
The series now shifts to Port Alberni for Game 3 on Tuesday night.
