After round-robin play at the RBC Cup, the Penticton Vees have one of everything in the results department.
One regulation win, one overtime win, one regulation loss, one overtime loss.
Add it up and it makes for six points and fourth place with the semifinals ahead.
The Vees’ 3-1 loss Thursday to Terrebonne put top spot out of reach. That, combined with host Cobourg knocking off Brooks Thursday night to vault to first, means the Vees get the Cougars Saturday afternoon for a chance to advance to the finals on Sunday at 5 p.m. Eastern.
Going into Thursday, the Vees still could have finished in first but a defeat at the hands of Terrebonne allowed the Quebec reps to catch Penticton in points. The Cobras got third by virtue of the head-to-head win over the Vees.
While finishing in the last qualifier’s spot after the round robin may not look ideal, it may turn out to be a blessing. Brooks had held top spot in the standings all week after entering the RBC Cup as the odds-on favourite to win it all. But the loss to Cobourg vaulted the host side into first place and shuffled Brooks to second, setting them up against Terrebonne Saturday night.
Avoiding Brooks, who should have their focus sharpened after losing Thursday for the first time in weeks, looks like a better chance to advance for the Vees as they’ve dropped both meetings (Western Canada Cup and RBC Cup) against the Alberta squad in overtime. Another positive is the early faceoff Saturday gives the team that advances to the finals a full 24 hours to get ready for the title game.
But Penticton will not be taking Cobourg lightly. The Cougars may just be getting their legs under them after having had a few weeks off leading into the RBC Cup. Also, they’ll have a Saturday home crowd behind them. Should be fun to watch.
The semifinals are being carried on HockeyTV.com
The RBC Cup title game will be televised live nationally on TSN 3 and 5 at 5 p.m. Eastern, 2 p.m. Pacific.
