
Vees Take 3-0 Series Lead on the Road
Published on April 1, 2026 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Penticton Vees News Release
Kent, WA - The Vees scored twice in the third period on their way to a 4-3 victory to take a 3-0 series lead over the Seattle Thunderbirds.
For the third straight game the Vees opened the scoring with Brady Birnie putting a puck on goal from the line that fooled Thunderbirds goaltender Grayson Malinoski to make it 1-0. That was all the scoring in the opening frame.
Cameron Schmidt scored his first two goals of the series to make it 2-1 Thunderbirds halfway through the second.
The Vees would answer before the period ended with Jacob Kvasnicka finding a loose puck in the crease and firing it home for his third of the playoffs to make it 2-2 heading into the final frame.
Penticton struck again off a centering pass from Kvasnicka to Ryden Evers who jammed it home to make it 3-2.
Shortly after Samuel Drancak found Ethan Weber at the point who ripped the puck past Malinoski to make the score 4-2.
The Thunderbirds got within one with the goalie pulled late but the Vees held on for a 4-3 final.
The penalty kill went 4/4 for a third straight game in the series.
GAME STATS
Shots:
Vees- 40
Thunderbirds- 32
Scoring:
Vees- Brady Birnie, Jacob Kvasnicka, Ryden Evers, Ethan Weber
Thunderbirds- Cameron Schmidt (2), Joe Gramer
Power Plays:
Vees- 0/4
Thunderbirds- 0/4
Goaltending:
Vees- AJ Reyelts - 29/32
Thunderbirds- Grayson Malinoski - 36/40
Up Next: The Vees and Thunderbirds square off in Game 4 Wednesday night in Kent. Puck drop is 7:05PM.
Images from this story
![]() Penticton Vees unleash a shot vs. the Seattle Thunderbirds |
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