Because the students did what the teacher wanted, the goal was reached.

The Penticton Vees were rewarded with a 2-0 victory over the Vernon Vipers Saturday. Denver Manderson collected his third game-winning goal while Sean Bonar denied the national champions 34 times for the shutout.

Vees coach-GM Fred Harbinson liked that his players stuck to the plan and when penalties became a problem, they weren’t rattled. The penalty killers were a perfect 7-for-7.

“We know them pretty good,” said Harbinson. “They play similar to last year with a different look. I thought mentally it was a big game for us.”

Manderson silenced the crowd of 2,052 at the Wesbild Centre with a shorthanded tally. In the third period, Joey Holka finished off a chance created by Alex Szczechura. This matchup also marked the first time the Vees were outshot and still won.

“It’s more for fans,” said Harbinson, who added that stat is not true the indicator of who outplays who.

The Vees coach places importance on scoring chances and when he did the break down, it was equal for both teams.

“I don’t think they generated that much themselves,” said Vipers coach Mark Ferner. “It was more the chances we gave them, but they did what they needed to do to get a victory.”

Alternate captain Derik Johnson said it was a big win for the team. Being ready for the Vipers was easy for the Vees. Last year the Vees struggled with the Vipers and Johnson contributes the difference this year to more maturity and leadership in the group. When asked about Manderson’s performance, as the captain has collected a point in every game and leads the league with 28 points in 11 games, Johnson said it speaks for itself. He added that Manderson has been doing the little things right.

Bonar, after knocking on the wall in reference to knocking on wood, took it a step further saying he has never seen the captain shoot so well. He added that the surgery Manderson had has done wonders. In having among the best seats in the rink to watch Manderson do his magic, the Vees goalie wonders what the captain will do.

“He’s phenomenal to watch,” said Bonar. “He’s a two-headed dragon.”

In collecting his first goose-egg, Bonar praised the work of his defence.

“Derik had seven blocked shots,” added the goalie, who mentioned the stellar effort of other teammates. “I couldn’t have asked for a better performance from the D core.”

While facing the Vipers, Bonar said he noticed improvement in the Jones twins, Kellen and Connor, saying they are quicker. He also said Mike Collins is a better player.

“They are all very good players,” he said.

It was important to the Vees to get the win in what Bonar said was likely their biggest game.

“If we had lost, our approach can’t change (for the next Vernon game),” he said.

However, the weekend began with an 8-2 win against the Trail Smoke Eaters. Ryan Viselli led the charge with two goals and four points. Seven other Vees collected two points including Manderson.

Over the weekend, Johnson said their penalty killing unit continued to take strides killing 14/15 penalties and is at 75 per cent.

With three games this week starting with the (3-5-0-1) Cowichan Valley Capitals today, the Vees look to build momentum as they are 8-2 in their last 10 games. Because the Vees don’t see the Island teams often, Bonar said that makes the Capitals more difficult to play.

“You don’t want to lose,” said Bonar, who still remembers last season’s loss in which former Vee Anthony Perdicaro sealed the Vees fate with an overtime goal.

After taking two points from the Vipers, Harbinson wants to see his team cushion to their lead on the Vipers. What Harbinson knows about the Capitals is they have a big team with a strong defence, which includes Penticton minor hockey product Curtis Gedig. He is second in team points with six in eight games. Rajan Sidhu is a familiar face, who played three games with the Vees last season. The Capitals strengthened their team by acquiring goalie Alexandre Peck from the Victoria Grizzlies.

During the third installment of the Coach’s Corner with Vees voice Ryan Pinder, Harbinson said he felt Peck was one of the BCHL’s best goalies last year.

Running game — Penticton Cougars running back is pulled to the ground by Vernon Marauders defender Trevor Feeney during junior bantam football action at McNicoll Park Sunday. Vernon scored a decisive victory over the host team. The Cougars are now 1-4 on the season and look to bounce back against Mission at Mission Field on Oct. 18. The next home game will see the Penticton bantam Cougars host Salmon Arm on Nov. 1 at 2 p.m.