With scoring star Beau Bennett, offensive defenceman Joey Laleggia and starting netminder Sean Bonar all away the the World Junior A Challenge, you'd think that a shorthanded Penticton Vees squad might have been in store for a temporary slowdown. Think again.
Garrett Milan and Jake Johnson each scored twice and Denver Manderson notched three points on Friday as the Vees rolled to a 7-2 victory over the Langley Chiefs.
Penticton went ahead early, scoring four times in the first period on goals by Johnson, Milan, Manderson and Bo Dolan. The Vees power-play was responsible for three of those tallies and four goals in total on the evening.
Matt Cronin put the Chiefs on the board at the 7:06 mark of the second period, but Penticton replied with two more before the end of the middle frame to take hold of a commanding 6-1 lead entering the final 20 minutes.
Joel Rumpel continued to fill in ably for Bonar, stopping 22 of the 24 shots sent his way. Andrew Walsh was much busier at the opposite end of the rink, facing 45 pucks before making way for recent re-acquisition Wyatt Waselenchuk midway through the third period.
Milan, Manderson and Johnson were named the game's three stars.
The Chiefs won't have to wait long to try and avenge Friday's loss, as the teams complete a home-and-home series in Langley on Saturday. That game will be broadcast live in the Lower Mainland on the Team 1040. Click HERE for more information.
