The captain, the goaltender and the power play were once again the difference for the Penticton Vees.
Denver Manderson scored the winning goal and added two assists and Sean Bonar made 21 saves – including a game-saver early in the third period – as the Vees held off the determined Westside Warriors 3-2 in BCHL playoff action Wednesday at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
Alex Szczechura and Garrett Milan also scored as the Vees opened up a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Interior Conference semifinal series. Matt Paltridge added two helpers and the Vees league-leading power play struck for two more goals on only three chances.
Cole Wilson and Tyler Brickler scored for Westside, who managed just one power play goal on seven chances.
Kevin Jebson made 29 saves in the Westside net. But he couldn‘t stop the 20-year-old captain Manderson, who now has six goals and 14 points in six playoff games after missing the last 10 games of the regular season due to injury.
The Vees played without second-line centre Ben Sexton, who was injured on a hit into the boards in Game 1 on Tuesday. Isaac MacLeod drew back into the lineup and fellow blueliner Luke Curadi was shifted to forward for the game.
The series shifts to Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna for Games 3 and 4 on Friday and Saturday.
Quesnel 4 Vernon 2: Goals by Darick Ste. Marie, Tyler French, Taylor Holst and Branden Redschlag gave the Quesnel Millionaires a stunning 4-1 upset win over the defending BCHL and national champion Vernon Vipers on Tuesday at Wesbild Centre in Vernon.
The Millionaires, despite being outshot 57-22, evened the best-of-seven series at 1-1 with Games 3 and 4 slated for Friday and Saturday in Quesnel.
David Robinson and Rob Short scored for the Vipers, who finished 55 points ahead of the Mills in the regular season.
In Coastal Conference semifinal play, Powell River beat Langley 5-3 to grab a 2-0 series lead. Top of Page
