Penticton Vees beat Vernon Vipers 3-1 Friday night

Photo: Cherie Morgan Photography

The Penticton Vees opened their preseason with a win against the Vernon Vipers Friday night, playing at home in front of fans for the first time in 569 days.

The Vees got out to a quick start, with 12 shots on goal before the Vipers were able to get their first. The Vees' Luke Hardy notched the team's first goal of the preseason, at 5:36 in the first period.

Vees captain Fin Williams doubled up the scoring just three minutes later, before the Vipers' Ethan Mercer cut the lead in half before the end of the first period.

Early in the second, the Vees capitalized on a power play, with Grayson Arnott reclaiming the Vees' two-goal advantage.

The Vees continued their pressure into the third, with 22 shots, but the Vipers' Roan Clarke turned them all away. With the final shot count at 54-13 for the Vees, the game ended 3-1.

Fans have clearly been looking forward to getting back in the South Okanagan Events Centre. With 2,360 people in attendance, Friday night was the largest crowd in the Vees' preseason history.

The Vees meet up against the Vipers again Saturday night, this time in Vernon's Kal Tire Place.