Vees Advance to Western Conference Final
Published on April 20, 2026 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Penticton Vees News Release
Penticton Vees excahnge congratulations
(Penticton Vees, Credit: Prince George Cougars)
Prince George, BC - The Penticton Vees battled back from a 2-0 deficit in the third period to take a 3-2 OT victory in Game 6 over the Prince George Cougars and advance to the Western Conference Final to battle the Everett Silvertips.
After no goals were scored in an opening period where the Cougars outshot the Vees 15-4, Prince George found the back of the net off the stick of Carson Carles off a rush and Lee Shurgot on the powerplay to make it 2-0 after 40 minutes.
Diego Johnson got the Vees back within one early in the third period, his first goal of the post-season.
Then, Doogan Pederson struck for his first playoff goal to tie the game 2-2 and send it to overtime for the first time in the series.
2:16 into the extra frame Samuel Drancak fired a shot off the pads of Joshua Ravensbergen which Jacob Kvasnicka deposited into the net for his seventh of the playoffs and the series clinching goal.
The Vees will take on the Everett Silvertips in the Western Conference Final starting next week.
GAME STATS
Shots:
Vees- 25
Cougars- 42
Scoring:
Vees- Diego Johnson, Doogan Pederson, Jacob Kvasnicka
Cougars- Carson Carels, Lee Shurgot
Power Plays:
Vees- 0/0
Cougars- 1/2
Goaltending:
Vees- AJ Reyelts - 40/42
Cougars- Joshua Ravensbergen - 22/25
Up Next: The Western Conference Final schedule is slated to be announced Monday morning.
Images from this story
 Penticton Vees excahnge congratulations (Prince George Cougars) |
Western Hockey League Stories from April 20, 2026
- Liam Ruck, Kvasnicka, and Banini Headline WHL Awards for Monday, April 20 - WHL
- 2026 NHL Draft-Eligible Prospect Liam Ruck Named Tempo WHL Player of the Week, Fuelled by Co-Op - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Silvertips Sign Charlie Barnes to WHL Scholarship & Development Agreement - Everett Silvertips
- Jakub Vanecek to represent Czechia at IIHF U18 Men's World Championship - Tri-City Americans
- Prospect Profile: Carter Bylycia - Tri-City Americans
- Silvertips Match up with Penticton Vees in Western Conference Final - Everett Silvertips
- Hodnett Commits to University of Nebraska-Omaha for 26/27 Season - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Vees Advance to Western Conference Final - Penticton Vees
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