The Penticton Vees are used to attacking, outshooting and outscoring the opposition. It’s been the modus operandi during this historical season of theirs.
On Saturday, however, the Vees turned to their goaltender, Michael Garteig, to win them Game 2 of the Doyle Cup against the Brooks Bandits.
Garteig, 20, stopped all 43 shots he faced, as the Vees blanked the Bandits 1-0 to take a 2-0 series lead over the Alberta Junior Hockey League champs. The Vees only mustered 30 shots. The series resumes Tuesday at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton. The Vees, with a win in that game, can move to within one victory of a berth in the national championship tournament, the Royal Bank Cup.
The Bandits were turned aside on all seven of their chances with the man advantage. The Vees were penalized four straight times combined between the second period and into the third, but Brooks was unable to capitalize, despite throwing 32 shots at Garteig through 40 minutes.
Vees forward Wade Murphy scored the lone goal of the night — and his second of the series — on an early first-period power play. Steven Fogarty and Bryce Gervais drew the assists.
The Vees opened the series with a 7-2 win over the Bandits on Friday. Mario Lucia had a goal in and three assists for Penticton.
Game 3 of the series goes Tuesday (7 p.m. PDT) in Penticton, while Game 4 goes the following the night in Penticton. Any necessary games after Wednesday will also take place at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
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