Game Preview: GM #22 Vees vs. Vernon Vipers

Photo: Cherie Morgan

BROADCAST INFORMATION 

Game Time: 6:00 pm PST 

Location: South Okanagan Events Centre 

Radio: Bounce 800 AM  

Webcast: Flo Hockey  

Season Series 

October 5th, Penticton 4 at Vernon 3 

October 26th, Vernon 4 at Penticton 5 (OT) 

November 23rd, Vernon at Penticton 

February 7th, Vernon at Penticton 

February 15th, Penticton at Vernon 

March 15th, Penticton at Vernon 

Penticton Vees 

President, General Manager & Head Coach: Fred Harbinson 

2024-25 Record: GP 21, 15-6-0-0, 30 pts (3rd, Interior Conference) 

Last Game: 2-1 loss at Salmon Arm, November 22nd

Home: 6-1-0-0 

Away: 9-5-0-0 

GF: 79 

GA: 58 

Power Play: 16/71 (22.5%,11th in BCHL) 

Penalty Kill: 46/58 (79.3%, 7th in BCHL) 

Scoring Leader: Ryden Evers (8-11-19) 

Penticton saw their four-game win streak snapped Friday at the hands of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in a 2-1 loss on the road. Louie Wehmann scored his third of the season in the second period to tie the game, but it was the only goal the Vees would muster up against a very tough Silverbacks team who continues their torrid pace in the month of November. 

The Vees now turn their attention to their oldest rival as the Vernon Vipers arrive at the SOEC on Coats For Kids Night, presented by RE/MAX. It is the third of six meetings, with Penticton winning the first two by a single goal in each of the first two encounters. In both those wins, the Vees had to come back from third period deficits. In fact, the last meeting on October 26th, Penticton rallied from a 3-0 first period deficit to win 5-4 in overtime.

The Vees were already shorthanded going into Friday’s game and it looks like the injury bug got them again. Forward Caton Ryan suffered an upper-body injury late in the third period in Salmon Arm and is doubtful to play tonight. If that’s the case, Penticton could be dressing just 16 skaters, 10 forwards. Max Heise, who missed Friday’s game, likely won’t play tonight. Penticton is still missing 20-year-old defencemen Matthew Biotti and Michael Fisher. Both are out until after Christmas with upper body injuries. Certainly a challenging time for the Vees to ice a full lineup.

Louie Wehmann has been a breath of fresh air for Penticton’s offence after his arrival in early November. The 18-year-old from Minnesota, has recorded three goals in his last four contests. Wehmann played primarily with Eli McKamey and Conyr Hellyer Friday in Salmon Arm. Wehmann was arguably the Vees most dangerous forward last night.

Another newcomer is expected to make his home debut Saturday night. Ethan Buenaventura is expected to make his first start at the SOEC and second overall. Buenaventura, a veteran of more than 100 WHL appearances with the Calgary Hitmen, joined the Vees ahead of last weekend’s Kootenay road trip. He picked up a win in his debut in Trail last Saturday, stopping 21 of 22 shots he faced in a 4-1 Vees win over the Smoke Eaters on November 16th.  

 The Vees are 3-1 when coming off a loss and have lost just back-to-back games once this season.

Vernon Vipers 

Head Coach & Director of Player Personnel:  Lukas Lomicky 

2024-25: GP 19 6-9-4-0, 19 pts (10th, Interior Conference) 

Last Game: 7-4 win vs Okotoks, November 15th 

Home: 2-4-3-0 

Away: 4-5-1-0 

GF: 60 

GA: 65 

Power Play: 17/58 (24.1%, 8th in BCHL) 

Penalty Kill: 65/79 (78.5%, 10th in BCHL) 

Scoring Leader: Will Schumacher (6-10-16) 

A rare Friday night off for the Vernon Vipers has them rested and ready as they visit the SOEC for the second time this season. Their first visit back on October 26th saw them take a commanding 3-0 lead after one period of play only to have Penticton come all the way back to force overtime and eventually win the game 5-4. 

The Vipers so far have had their ups and downs through 19 games. Heading into Saturday’s game, Vernon sits 10th out of 11 teams in the Interior Conference. The Vipers are only one point back of the eighth place Spruce Grove Saints, who hang onto the final playoff spot. After tonight, Vernon is back at home tomorrow against the Silverbacks for a 2:00 pm puck drop.

Will Schumacher continues to lead the Vipers in scoring, averaging nearly a point per game. The Mercyhurst commit has amassed 16 points (6-10-16) in 18 games and leads the team in scoring by a single point over fellow  20-year-old Landon MacDonald.  

With a light schedule recently, just two games since November 9th, it is unclear as to who will start in goal for the Vipers Saturday. Both Colin Reay and Marko Bilic have split time in the Vipers’ crease through 19 games, both putting up around league average numbers. Reay, the second-year goaltender from Sherwood Park, Alberta, has started both previous games against Penticton this season.