Morning Star Staff
Tyson Jost and the Penticton Vees do not expect a repeat of their New Year’s Day 6-0 massacre of the Vernon Vipers at Kal Tire Place.
The B.C. Hockey League rivals meet tonight at KTP with the first-place Vees holding a 5-0 series lead.
“They are a really good team,” said Jost, who will be chosen in round one of the NHL entry draft in June. “We can’t look at the 6-0 win. We can’t look into that too deep. They are going to come out really hard. They are fighting for a playoff spot. We’ll be looking for a good game.”
Jost and teammate Dante Fabbro will join three Chilliwack Chiefs on Team West in the CJHL Prospects Game, scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 26 at South Surrey Arena.
D-man Dennis Cholowski and forwards Jesse Lansdell and Kohen Olischefski will represent the Chiefs. The BCHL and Alberta league each has nine players on the West roster. “I look forward to the opportunity to work with such a talented group of players,” said Team West head coach Brandon West, of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. “To have the top players in the country all in one game is something special. These prospects have worked hard to get to this level and this event will allow them to showcase their talents in front of fans and the hockey world.”
Meanwhile, Vernon’s Scott Kowalski scored his first BCHL goal as the Nanaimo Clippers bounced the visiting Alberni Valley Bulldogs 5-2 Wednesday night.
Kowalski, 16, converted on a two-on-one in the third period after a pass from Nolan Aibel, making it 4-2 Clippers. Kowalski, who just joined the Clippers from the Major Midget Okanagan Rockets, was named the Fortis Energy Player of the Game.
“It felt great, and the guys thought it was pretty funny, they all laughed about it, but they liked it, so I like that,” said Kowalski.
Nanaimo head coach Mike Vandekamp signed Kowalski as the team’s 13th forward.
“I think he brings speed and skill. It’s probably going to take him a little bit to learn some things, but he’s got a bright future and I think he can have an impact right away and down the road he’s certainly going to be a really good player in our league,” said Vandekamp.
Tyger Howat recorded 41 saves as the host Coquitlam Express derailed the Merritt Centennials 5-3 Wednesday night.
Vernon’s Brett Jewell fired his sixth goal of the year for the Cents.