The Penticton Vees closed out 2008 with a big win and a small jump.
Brodie Reid and Denver Manderson each scored once and added an assist in the Vees' 4-2 win over the visiting Trail Smoke Eaters on Wednesday, jumping over their Interior Conference rivals and into fourth place in the process. Andrew Pickering replied with a pair of goals for the Smokies, who enter 2009 a point behind Penticton but owning a game in hand.
Meanwhile, the Cowichan Valley Capitals kept their recent hot-streak intact with a win over their closest Island Division competition. Chris Rawlings stopped 46 shots and Mickey Spencer scored twice for the Caps in a 4-3 win at Nanaimo. The Clippers outshot their visitors badly but were resigned to defeat after failing to build on a third period goal by Michael Boivin that had drawn the team within a goal.
Finally, the Surrey Eagles further strengthened their hold on a Mainland Division playoff berth with an overtime victory in Burnaby. Andrew Wallace was the extra-time hero for the Eagles, scoring on a double OT penalty shot. Wallace also added three assists for Surrey, who came back from a 3-1 third period deficit by scoring twice in the game's final 2:35. Jacob Verheyden scored twice and added an assist for the Express.
The first games of 2009 face off on Friday night with seven matchups around the league.
