Thomas Pichette scored 42 seconds into overtime as the Penticton Vees came back to stun the Vernon Vipers 2-1 on Friday, April 26, and book their spot in the Interior Conference Finals.
Pichette grabbed the loose puck behind VernonB次元官网网址檚 net before firing a no-look shot and beating goaltender Ethan David, who made 38 saves and held the Vees off the scoresheet until late in the third period.
The series-clinching goal came after Larry Keenan tied the game with just 1:51 left in the third period.
Penticton won the series 4-1 and will now play the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in the conference finals.
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Penticton outshot Vernon 40-15, as both teams remained off the scoresheet until the third period.
Erik Pastro scored three minutes into the third period to give Vernon a 1-0 lead.
The forwardB次元官网网址檚 goal held up until Keenan notched his first-career BCHL playoff goal to force overtime. The Detroit Red Wings prospect found the loose puck in the crease during a net-front scramble and slid it underneath the goaltenderB次元官网网址檚 pads.
B次元官网网址淲e did a good job of pushing their [defence] back and keeping them hemmed into their own zone,B次元官网网址� Miller said. B次元官网网址淲e knew it was going to come and it did on the six-on-five.B次元官网网址�
Pichette, who serves as the teamB次元官网网址檚 co-captain and one of two returning players from last season, scored his second of the playoffs in overtime. Callum Arnott, the VeesB次元官网网址� other co-captain, was credited with the assist.
Vees netminder Will Ingemann made 14 saves and recorded his fifth win of the playoffs.
Penticton has now won 11 postseason rounds in a row, dating back to 2022.
The Vees completed a sweep of the Prince George Spruce Kings in the first round of the 2024 playoffs, before downing Vernon in five games.
Friday marked the VeesB次元官网网址� second straight overtime game after the Vipers staved off elimination with a 3-2 win in the seriesB次元官网网址� fourth game on April 24.
Penticton will host Salmon Arm for the first game of the conference finals on Thursday, May 2.
