The Penticton Vees made the most of their only home game for the next 10 days. The Vees picked up a 5-2 Wednesday night over the Prince George Spruce Kings, Wednesday night at the South Okanagan Events Centre (SOEC).
The Vees are now 2-0 at home this season and improved their BCHL-record home win streak to 45 games and counting. The Vees have not lost a home game at the SOEC since March 31, 2022.
James Fisher recorded a hat-trick in the win and was named the first star. Leon Matthiasson and Thomas Pichette also scored. Conyr Hellyer chipped in with two assists. Andrew Ness earned his second win of the young season, as he stopped 17 of 19 shots in the Vees’ crease.
After a scoreless first period, the two teams combined for four goals in the middle frame, with the Vees scoring three times. Two of Fisher’s three goals came in the second and Matthiasson had the other, as Penticton led 3-1 after two periods.
Fisher opened the scoring 2:05 into the second after he hammered a one-timer off of a pass from Hellyer, that blew by Prince George goaltender Marcus Ouellet.
The Spruce Kings’ did tie the game on a goal by Scott Cousins just over two minutes later, but Fisher put Penticton back ahead midway through the frame with his second of the night. On a Vees’ power play, it was a three-way passing play between the MacPherson brothers and Fisher, that finished with Fisher sneaking his shot underneath the goalie’s arm at 11:20 to make it 2-1.
Matthiasson put the Vees up 3-1 with just over three minutes left in the second. The Swedish defenceman took a slapshot right off a face off that ducked under the goalie’s glove and in at 16:44. His second in as many games gave Penticton a critical insurance marker before the intermission.
Prince George cut the Vees’ lead to one midway through the third on a power play goal by Max Ranstrom, that made it 3-2. However, Fisher had an answer for Penticton.
Fisher scored his hat-trick with less than four minutes left in regulation to put the Vees up 4-2 and for good. Hellyer made a great pass out of the corner to Fisher, who outwaited the goaltender and put the puck upstairs for his third goal of the night and fifth of the season.
Pichette put the finishing touches on the win with a power play goal with 22 seconds left for his first of the season.