Brett Moravec’s two-goal effort propelled the Penticton Vees to a 7-1 victory against the Cranbrook Bucks in front of a season-high crowd at the South Okanagan Events Centre on Friday night.
It may have been the team’s annual Teddy Bear Toss but there was also a hockey game to be played and after the donatable items were cleared off the ice early in the first period, the Vees (16-2-0-0) continued to roll offensively.
Courtesy of two first-period markers from Moravec and a Jackson Nieuwendyk goal late in the frame, the Vees took a 3-0 lead into the first intermission.
Both Moravec and Josh Nadeau finished the night with three points to help the Vees earn their eighth victory in a row.
Nadeau’s goal was Penticton’s sixth of the night and marked the eighth game in a row that the forward has found the back of the net.
Once the Vees made it 6-0 late in the second frame, there was only one thing left to be determined — the status of goaltender Kaeden Lane’s shutout.
Unfortunately for the netminder, the Bucks scored their first of the game late in the second period to break Lane’s shutout and pull within five of the Vees.
Spencer Smith concluded the game’s scoring in the third period, giving the Vees a 7-1 lead and putting a wrap on what was a memorable night at the SOEC.
Along with the team’s annual Teddy Bear Toss, the arena hosted 100 per cent of its capacity for the first time this season.
The Vees are set to hit the ice for the second straight night on Saturday when they host the Wenatchee Wild (3-9-4-1).
Saturday’s showdown will also mark OSNS night at the SOEC. The OSNS Child and Youth Development Centre launched its Legacy Foundation last month with the mission of helping youth in the South Okanagan with developmental challenges.
READ MORE: Penticton Vees’ Teddy Bear Toss a huge success on Friday night
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logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com
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