Vees One Win Away

The Penticton Vees are one win away from clinching a spot in the RBC Cup following a 6-1 win in over the Brooks Bandits in game four of the Doyle Cup.

The Vees now lead the series 3-1 and can capture their first Doyle Cup in 26 years on Friday.

The Vees rebounded after a disappointing loss a night earlier with arguably their best performance of the series.

The power-play was the difference exploding for four goals on nine opportunities, three of which came in the third period.

As in game three, and every game in the series, the Vees opened the scoring.

After a scoreless first period, Joey Benik put the Vees up by one on a five-on-three power-play just shy of the five minute mark in the second. Mike Reilly’s point-shot missed the net but bounced back in front to Benik who put the puck off Jan Obernesser and in.

The Vees doubled their lead on the power-play just over a minute after the Benik goal.
Mario Lucia scored his first of two on the night at 5:59, when he finished off a slick passing play. Travis St. Denis worked his way to the net before firing a cross-crease pass to Lucia at the far post.

The Bandits opened the scoring in the third period on a power-play of their own. Mark Reners’ one-timer beat Mike Garteig over the blocker at 5:01; the first goal in the series from a Bandits forward outside of the top line.

The Vees didn’t waste much time responding, as Mario Lucia scored his second of the game and fifth of the series one 90 seconds later. Lucia finished off a two-on-one rush with Travis St. Denis, beating Obernesser on the glove side.

The goals continue to come in the third for the Vees as they scored three more times before it was all said and done.

Ryan Reilly scored at even strength before brother Mike and Logan Johnston notched power-play markers to close out the scoring.

Things turned ugly with just under two minutes left in the game as the Bandits frustration boiled over.

Justin Burns received two major penalties and two game misconducts for two separate incidents.

Burns ran over Mike Garteig after a shot attempt which earned him his first major penalty for goaltender interference. The second major came after the whistle, when Burns slashed Zach Urban in the face.

Both incidents occurring at the 18:07 mark. When the dust settled, seven players were kicked out of the game including five from the Bandits.

Courtesy of the Penticton Vees