Photo: Vernon Vipers
The Vernon Vipers lost to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in overtime on home ice, last night.
“In a nail-biter in front of a lively crowd of over 3,000 fans, the Vernon Vipers came up just short in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Salmon Arm Silverbacks,” said a release from the team
Landon MacDonald scored his 11th and 12th goals of the season during the match – solidifying his team lead in scoring. In his Vipers debut, Talan Blanck contributed a goal and an assist.
Vipers goaltender Jari Kykkanen made 19 saves on 23 shots during the game. Silverbacks goaltender Andrew Ballantyne had 32 saves on 35 shots, earning the win.
During the match, the Silverbacks capitalized on three of their four power-play opportunities, including the game-winner. The Vipers struggled to convert, going 1-for-6 on the man advantage. Their missed opportunity during a full two-minute power play in overtime proved costly.
With the loss, the Vipers conclude their four-game homestand with a 1-2-1 record.
The Vipers will face the Silverbacks again today at Rogers Rink in Salmon Arm at 4 p.m.
Photo: Cherie Morgan/Cherie Morgan Photography
The Penticton Vees kept their momentum going coming back after winter break on Saturday night, with 3-2 win over the Blackfalds Bulldogs at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
This makes eight straight wins for the Vees, putting them two points ahead of the Brooks Bandits for top spot in the Interior Conference and the BCHL overall standings.
Landon Wright opened the scoring in the first period, getting the Vees up 1-0 after 20 minutes with a shot from behind the net.
Blackfalds had some bite and led 2-1 in the second period, with goals from Antoine Gauthier and Gates Omicioli.
Ben Merrill tied the game 2-2 with a pass from Anselmo Rego as he came down the wing and then dropped the puck in front for Merrill who had a wide open net.
Shortly after, Caton Ryan passed to out Merrill in front, who tucked the puck up and over the Blackfalds' goalie, for a final score of 3-2.
The Vees return to the ice to host the Okotoks Oilers on Sunday, Dec. 29, with puck drop at 4 p.m.
Photo: Contributed
The West Kelowna Warriors went big game hunting Saturday night and bagged themselves some Bandits.
The Warriors went into Brooks and took down the BC Hockey League’s number one team 4-3.
It was their first win over the Bandits in three meetings this season and in their first trip into the Alberta city.
Luciano Bruno scored what stood up as the game winner, his second goal in as many nights while newly acquired Bor Glavic turned away 29 shots to earn the win in his first BCHL start.
Glavic, who played for Slovenia in the World Junior Hockey Championship Division 1 Group A tournament earlier this month, was signed over the Christmas break after Jack Lisson left for the Ontario Hockey League.
Bruno’s goal made it 4-1 near the midway point of the third but stood up as the winner after the Bandits got goals 17 seconds apart late in the game to make the final few minutes more interesting than they needed to be.
Sam LeDrew on the receiving end of a two-on-one, Elias Callgren and Dylan Krayer also scored for the Warriors who come home from their two-game post-Christmas road trip 1-1.
Saturday’s win moves the Warriors four points up on the Vernon Vipers in the battle for the final Interior Division playoff spot.
The Vipers hold three games in hand.
The Warriors will travel to Vernon Friday before hosting Spruce Grove in their first game of 2025 Saturday night.
Photo: Contributed
It was not a successful return from the two-week Christmas break for the West Kelowna Warriors.
The Warriors kicked off the unofficial second half of the BC Hockey League season the same way they started the first half - losing in Cranbrook.
However, unlike the season-opening 9-0 defeat in the Kootenay city, the Warriors were in this one until the bitter end, falling 4-2 to the hometown Bucks.
Kaslo Ferner scored twice for the Bucks including a power play goal that opened the scoring while Bryce Sookro chipped in with three assists.
Ferner’s opener came against the run of play as the Warriors registered the first six shots but an untimely penalty gave the Bucks an opening they would take advantage of.
Luciano Bruno tied it two minutes into the second when he wired a one-timer from the right circle after Carter Oakenfold won a battle along the boards and chipped the puck to Bruno.
Ferner restored the lead later in the period before Matthew Gilmore beat Ayo Ogini on a third period power play to put the Bucks up a pair.
Simon Hogue got that one back but Sammy Hynes iced it with under two minutes to go before the Warriors could get Ogini to the bench for an extra attacker.
Ogini turned aside 29 shots in his first action since the Showcase in Chilliwack nearly two-and-a-half months ago.
Newly acquired Bor Glavic, an import from Slovenia, served as the backup.
The Warriors will conclude their two-game road trip Saturday night in Brooks.
They play their first home game of the new year next Saturday against the Spruce Grove Saints.
Photo: Cherie Morgan/Cherie Morgan Photography
The Penticton Vees Hockey Club announced on Friday that they have traded one of their defenceman to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, in exchange for future considerations.
Cédricson Okitundu, who has played 16 games for the Vees, managed to collect two assists to go along with four penalty minutes.
The player signed with the team in October after starting the 2024-25 season in the Western Hockey League with the Prince Albert Raiders.
This move means the Vees’ roster sits at 24 players, with three goalies, nine defencemen, and 12 forwards.
The Vees return to the ice with a pair of home games this weekend at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Penticton hosts the Blackfalds Bulldogs on Saturday, with puck drop at 6 p.m., and the Okotoks Oilers on Sunday, with puck drop at 4 p.m.
Tickets are $18 for adults and are available at the SOEC box office, or online at www.valleyfirsttix.com. Youth (18 and under) are free courtesy of Peters Bros. Construction.
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