The defending champions made a statement Friday night. The Vees picked up their 11th-straight win, thumping the Nanaimo Clippers 9-2, at the SOEC.
Josh and Bradly Nadeau combined for 11 points in the victory. Josh picked up his third hat-trick of the season and added two assists. Bradly had a goal and five helpers. Aydar Suniev scored twice, and Ryan Hopkins and Mason Poolman each had two assists.
The power play was firing on all cylinders, as Penticton scored four power plays goals in the win. The penalty kills went 3-4.
It was a rematch of last season’s Fred Page Cup Final, and the Vees came out of the blocks running. Penticton scored four goals on 26 shots in the opening 20 minutes to go up 4-0 after one. Frank Djurasevic, Nick DeGraves, Josh Nadeau, and Suniev all scored in the first.
Suniev scored his second of the night and 40th of the season early in the second to put the Vees up 5-0. After Nanaimo’s Ethan Mistry made it 5-1, Thomas Pichette and Bradly Nadeau scored to put the Vees up 7-1 after two periods. Pichette scored on a wrap around and then Nadeau hammered a one-timer on the power play.
Josh Nadeau scored his second of the game 26 seconds into the third period, putting Penticton up 8-1. His second of the night was also his 40th goal of the season. He then scored his hat-trick goal with just under three minutes left in the final frame, bagging his 41st at 17:13 to make it 9-2.
GAME NOTES
Josh Nadeau extended his goal streak to 10 games with his hat-trick. He has points in 11-straight games. Bradly Nadeau has two or more points in 10 games. Aydar Suniev’s point streak is now at 13 games. He has 27 points over that span. The Vees 70 shots is a new season-high, surpassing their previous high of 65 set March 3rd, in Merritt. Nanaimo’s 18 shot was a new season low.
GAME STATS
Final Score: 9-2, Vees
Shots: 70-18, Vees
Vees Scoring: Josh Nadeau (3), Suniev (2), Djurasevic, Pichette, DeGraves, Bradly Nadeau
Vees PP: 4/7
Vees PK: 3/4
Three Stars:
- Josh Nadeau
- Bradly Nadeau
- Nic DeGraves