The Penticton Vees have advanced to the semifinal round of the Royal Bank Cup with a 4-0 win over the Trenton Golden Hawks Wednesday.
Ty Amonte netted the winner 4:30 into the game, while Nicholas Jones scored a goal and three points to earn player of the game. Mathew Robson made 21 saves for the shutout at the Cobourg Community Centre.
The Vees carried a 3-0 lead into the final frame after getting goals from Amonte in the first, then Nicholas Jones and Massimo Rizzo in the second.
Amonte opened the scoring in the first taking a Sam Rossini pass and depositing a backhand high past Trenton Golden Hawks goalie Chris Janzen.
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With just under six minutes remaining in the second, Griffin Mendel spotted Jones skating into the Golden Hawks zone. He skated into the open slot area and fired a wrist shot by Janzen. Rizzo gave the Vees their first power play goal of the game. From behind the net, Jones fed Taylor Ward the puck, who paused then dished the puck off to Rizzo who had an open net to fire at as Janzen was too far to one side to make the save while a teammate desperately tried to stop the shot.
The Vees had another solid chance when defenceman Joey Leahy was sent in on a breakaway, but was denied. The Vees outshot Trenton 17-2 in the second.
The Vees nailed the game shut when Grant Cruikshank took a few whacks at a rebound at the side of the goal. Cruikshank started the play carrying it into the zone, then fed the puck to Jones, who fired a shot. The goal came with 8:40 remaining. With 5:53 remaining, Duncan Campbell was assessed a five-minute major for high sticking and received a game-misconduct.
Rizzo’s goal was the lone tally on the power play for the Vees who had nine chances. They were perfect on the penalty kill going six-for six.
The Vees return to action Thursday at 12:30 p.m. PST when they finish their round robin schedule against the Cobras de Terrebonne. The Vees win gives them six points and knocks the Golden Hawks out of the RBC Cup tournament.
