Vees captain nets a victory with breakaway goal

PENTICTON VEES captain Troy Stecher possesses poise to carry the puck out of danger. On Saturday night in front of 2,181 fans, Stecher created a turnover to give himself a breakaway leading to the game-winning goal in double overtime as the Vees defeated the Surrey Eagles 3-2.

Emanuel Sequeira/Western News

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Troy Stecher played overtime hero for the Penticton Vees on the weekend.

The Vees captain netted the 3-2 double overtime winner 55 seconds into the period on a breakaway as he fired a shot over Michael Santaguida's glove.

The Vees opened the scoring in the second period when Brad McClure was able to make Santaguida pay after mishandling the puck behind his net. Stecher gave the Vees 2-0 lead midway through the third. However, former Vee Brady Shaw scored twice in a five-minute span to even things up.

Vees goalie Nic Renyard made 25 saves to earn his fifth victory of the season during Blockout the Lockout night at the South Okanagan Events Centre, which attracted 2,181 fans.

On Friday night in Merritt, the Vees tied the game at two early in the third, with Stecher helping set up the goal. The game appeared headed for overtime when Regan Soquila scored with less than two minutes remaining. The Centennials benefited from a bounce as the puck hopped from Renyard's stick over his shoulder to land in the net. The Centennials added a fourth into an empty net.

The Vees are now on the road for their next five games starting in Surrey on Jan. 11.