When the Penticton Vees hit the ice tonight (April 24), they’ll look to complete their second playoff sweep in as many weeks.
The defending Fred Page Cup champions pushed the Vernon Vipers to the brink of elimination on Tuesday, following a 4-0 win at Kal Tire Place.
Penticton — who swept the Prince George Spruce Kings in the first round of the BCHL Playoffs — now leads its second-round series with Vernon 3-0.
Puck drop for Wednesday’s showdown has been pushed to 8:15 p.m., as Kal Tire Place hosts the 2024 Esso Cup throughout the day.
Here’s what you need to know as the Vees gear up to battle the Vipers:
Rego becomes fan favourite
After Anselmo Rego scored two goals on Friday, April 19, including the overtime winner, those inside the South Okanagan Events Centre began to loudly chant the rookie’s last name.
His shorthanded goal early in the extra frame completed a three-goal Penticton comeback over Vernon and lifted the team to a 1-0 series lead.
The 18-year-old’s rise comes as he leads the team in playoff scoring with six points in seven games.
Veterans step up
Thomas Pichette and Callum Arnott, the Vees’ co-captains and only returning players from last year, each recorded two points on Tuesday to lead the Vees to a game-three victory.
Arnott is tied with Rego atop the team’s playoff scoring list in 2024.
Goaltenders trading starts
Andrew Ness is expected to get the start in net when the Vees battle the Vipers in the series’ fourth game, the team confirmed on Wednesday morning.
Ness’ start comes after Will Ingemann recorded wins in the series’ first game.
The goaltenders have alternated starts in the playoffs.
Ness is 3-0 and has a .941 save percentage.
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