Going into Saturday’s game, the Vees were 39 points ahead of the last place Bulldogs, who also had lost 14 in a row. However, the Bulldogs were no push over and were backed by a great goaltending from Russian Kirill Kapustin.
Lots of guys missing. On the bright side Joey Melo is back and named captain. Even with all that time missed he is still leading the team in points. Also Doug Quinn stepped down as head coach and Ryan Tobler is now head coach.
Very impressed with with newly acquired Will Mitchell and the new Russian goalie Kapustin.
Landon Wright made it a 1-0 game for Penticton when he scored at 9:47 of the first period with the assists on the goal going to Conyr Hellyer and Ryden Evers.
Shots on goal in the first period were 11-4 for Penticton.
Antoine Gauthier tied the game up for the Bulldogs on the Power Play when he ripped it from the high circle. The assist went to Juan Copeland who was recently acquired from the Alberni Valley Bulldogs where he played with Gauthier. The other assist went to Thomas Neu 54 seconds into the second period.
Gates Omicioli makes it 2-0 at 6:58 of the second period with the assist on the goal going to Jared Langdon. That is Omicioli’s 6th goal of the season.
The Vees came back and evened it up when Ben Merrill scored at 8:24 of the second period with the assists going to Anselmo Rego and Conyr Hellyer.
Shots on goal in the second period were 13-8 for the Vees.
Montreal Canadiens draft pick Ben Merrill scores his second goal of the night for Penticton at 11:46 of the third period. The assists on the goal went to Caton Ryan and Matthew Cataldo.
The Bulldogs pulled the goalie with just under 2 left in the game had a few chances but couldn’t come up with the game tying goal.
Shots on goal in the third period were 17-9 for Penticton with Penticton outshooting Blackfalds 41-21 in the game.
Three Stars of the game were 1) Ben Merrill 2) Kirill Kapustin 3) Landon Wright
Attendance in Penticton was 3,012
Bulldogs next game is Sunday December 29th in Trail against the Smoke Eaters
Bulldogs lost 2 goalies over Christmas and also the Brooks Bandits appear to have lost 2 goalies also. Rumor has it Johnny Hicks signed with the Victoria Royals. Rumors also swirling around the Prince George Spruce Kings having issues with their arena and may not be around next season.
Waylon Esche took off to the NAHL and now it in Corpus Christi. No source saying where Christensen went. Ryan Shaw is now playing for the Rochester Americans of the NAHL.
Matthew Croxall and Jonathan Pylypuik are no longer on the website roster but elite prospects still has them on the page.
Purves and Matte are also not on the game sheet. Not certain if they are returning as they are still on the website.
Kind of figured Esche would move on. Really can’t blame him plus Corpus Christi is suppose to be an amazing place to play. He will be in the same division down there as former Bulldogs goalie Charlie Zolin who now plays for the Amarillo Wranglers.
Not even a mention that he came from the Bulldogs either here. Lovely. No word on that up here either. He has played in 2 games already and has a goal there. In his division there are former Bulldogs also with Joseph Gasperko in Maine and Sam Caulfield in New Hampshire. I am probably forgetting a few other former Bulldogs floating around down there too.
