They developed a reputation for racking up offence most of the season but the Penticton Vees showed Friday they can play an airtight defensive game when need be as they secured a 3-2 road win over the Merritt Centennials.
An eventful first period saw the Vees storm out to a 2-0 lead on goals by Cody DePourcq and Wade Murphy. But the Cents would rally to tie before the intermission on tallies by Ross Mancuso and Brent Fletcher.
Logan Johnston scored the game-winner at 1:01 of the second and that was it for goals on the night. The Vees killed the three power plays awarded to the Cents during the remainder of the game and Chad Katunar stopped 24 of 26 shots for the win.
Mario Lucia picked up a pair of assists for the Vees to take 1st Star and move into the playoff scoring lead. Game 4 goes Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. at Nicola Valley Arena.
A four-goal first period by the Powell River Kings chased Andrew Hunt from the Surrey Eagles crease and held up in a 4-3 road win.
Daniel Schuler scored twice in the opening 20 minutes including the game-winner at 14:04 while Chris Williams and Matt Scarth added the others. Surrey chipped away with a power-play goal by Steve Koshey early in the second and markers from Devon Toews and Tyler Morley in the third but they couldn't equalize.
Sean Maguire made 39 saves for the win. Game 4 goes Saturday night at 7 p.m. at South Surrey Arena.
