The Penticton Vees bounced back in a big way on Saturday night. Following a 5-0 loss in Victoria last night, the Vees picked up a 5-1 win over the Vancouver Giants in Langley.
Penticton notched their first goal in WHL franchise history as Brady Birnie floated a shot over Giants goaltender Ryan Tamelin with 5:21 remaining in the first period to send the game to the first intermission 5-1.
The Vees would add to their lead in the second with Ryden Evers battling in front of the net, poking home a powerplay goal to make it 2-0. Then, Chase Valliant put together a great individual effort along the wall in the neutral zone while short-handed, eventually driving to the net and ripping a shot high glove to make it 3-0 heading into the third period.
Brittan Alstead deflected a puck home with 6:37 gone in the third. The Giants would score their only goal of the night off the stick of Ryan Lin before Diego Johnson would salt the game away from his own blueline into the empty net to make the final 5-1.
Vees goaltender AJ Reyelts was solid all night long stopping 21 of the 22 shots he faced in his first career WHL start.
President, General Manager and Head Coach Fred Harbinson picked up his first WHL victory in his 1,000th career regular season game behind the Vees bench.
