A three-goal second period helped Team White to a 3-0 win over Team Blue in the Vees second intrasquad game, played Saturday at South Okanagan Events Centre.
Local product Jackson Garnett showed well in goal for Team Blue, turning aside each of the nine shots he faced in his first period of action. Yaniv Perets also turned aside nine shots for Team White.
All the offence came in the middle frame.
Jacob Quillan gathered a puck in the left-wing corner as he centered a pass for Stefano Bottini who was going hard to the goal. Bottini lifted a backhand shot over the glove side of new Team Blue goaltender Kaeden Lane to give Team White a 1-0 lead.
Luciano Wilson extended the advantage for Team White to a 2-0 margin later in the period with his second goal in as many intrasquad games. Wilson took a shot from the left goal line that bounced off the pads of Lane before collecting his own rebound and wrapping the puck around on the glove side.
Quinn Hutson rounded out the scoring with his third goal in five intrasquad periods to give Team White a 3-0 lead. Matteo Costantini fed a pass from the left corner in front for Hutson as he received the pass on his forehand before deking to his backhand and beating Lane on the blocker side.
The Vees are now done with intrasquad action, and are preparing to begin their 12-game exhibition schedule on the weekend.
For the week, it’s back to practicing at SOEC.
“We’re working on our systems, just trying to establish habits, that’s the most important thing – what’s expected in our program, on and off the ice,” said head coach Fred Harbinson. “So far it’s been really good. The guys are competing extremely hard, and we’re looking forward to playing against somebody else next week.”
Harbinson has now watched his team compete in two intrasquad games, and is forming opinions on what he has seen so far.
“You know what you’re going to get with some of the older guys. But some of the young guys, like (Quinn) Hutson, (Stefano) Bottini, (Jacob) Quilan, (Frank) Djurasevic and (Jason) Marsella definitely look good,” he said. “We know what our veterans can do and some of the older guys we acquired, but when you see some of those young guys who haven’t played junior yet, and how they’re fitting in, it’s exciting.”
The Vees are now preparing to kick off the lengthy exhibition schedule with a pair of home games against Salmon Arm.
West Kelowna and Vernon are also in Penticton’s four-team exhibition cohort.
“Yeah, you’re going against three great teams that will probably be three of the better teams in the league when it’s all said and done,” said Harbinson. “We’re looking forward to competing against somebody else and matching ourselves and see where we stand.”
The Silverbacks will be at SOEC Friday and Saturday at 6 pm.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, fans will not be able to attend the games – but each game will be streamed on HockeyTV.com.
