Vees Use Strong Final 40 to Pick up 5-2 Win
Published on February 14, 2026 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Penticton Vees News Release
Victoria Royals' Landon Young versus Penticton Vees' Diego Johnson
(Penticton Vees, Credit: Cherie Morgan)
Penticton, BC- On the back of a penalty kill that went a perfect seven-for-seven, the Penticton Vees defeated the Victoria Royals 5-2 at the SOEC on Saturday night.
The Vees climb to 34-11-4-4 on the season with the win and are just one win away from tying the Everett Silvertips for most wins in an expansion season by a WHL club.
It was a slow start for Penticton who were outshot 13-4 in the opening frame.
The Royals struck first with Seth Fryer bouncing home the opening goal making it 1-0 after the opening 20.
The Vees killed off a 1:54 five-on-three and got to work in the second.
Jacob Kvasnicka rifled his 32nd of the season off the post and in on the powerplay to bring the Vees back even 1-1.
Then, Brady Birnie collected a bouncing puck in the slot and ripped home his 20th of the season. For Birnie he has 20 goals in three straight years. Diego Johnson scored 24 seconds later to give the Vees a 3-1 lead heading into the third period.
The Royals got back within one as Roan Woodward ripped a shot under the crossbar to make the score 3-2.
The Vees would answer as Kvasnicka saucered a pass to Tristan Petersen who then put it off the bar and then the back of Ethan Eskit and into the net to make it 4-2.
Kvasnicka would finish off his three point night with a full-length empty netter to make the final score 5-2.
GAME STATS
Shots:
Vees- 29
Royals- 23
Scoring:
Vees- Jacob Kvasnicka (2), Brady Birnie, Diego Johnson, Tristan Petersen
Royals- Seth Fryer, Roan Woodward
Power Plays:
Vees- 1/3
Royals- 0/7
Goaltending:
Vees- AJ Reyelts - 21/23
Royals- Ethan Eskit - 24/28
Up Next: The Vees host the Prince George Cougars for a 2:00PM puck drop on Family Day Monday (Feb. 16).
Images from this story
 Victoria Royals' Landon Young versus Penticton Vees' Diego Johnson (Cherie Morgan) |
Western Hockey League Stories from February 14, 2026
- Americans Drop Fifth Straight With 2-1 Loss To Seattle - Tri-City Americans
- Chiefs Lose Heartbreaker to Wild, Rematch Tomorrow - Spokane Chiefs
- Vees Use Strong Final 40 to Pick up 5-2 Win - Penticton Vees
- Ruzicka Perfect in Shootout Again as Wheat Kings Take Third Straight Win - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Pats Surge Past Warriors 5-2, Move into Tie for Seventh in the East - Regina Pats
- Warriors Fall to Pats in Valentine's Day Clash - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Game Preview: Vees vs Royals - Penticton Vees
- Oil Kings and Hitmen Finish Home and Home in Calgary - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Game Preview: Game 53 VS Silvertips - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Chiefs Complete Comeback, Defeat Portland 5-4 on Road - Spokane Chiefs
- Chiefs Host Wild for Valentine's Day Match-Up - Spokane Chiefs
- Preview: Americans vs Thunderbirds - February 14, 2026 - Tri-City Americans
- Trans-Canada Clash Returns to the Temple Gardens Centre - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Game Preview: Cougars at Blazers: 0 - Prince George Cougars
- Wenatchee Power Play Looms Large with 5-3 Win over Kelowna Friday - Wenatchee Wild
- Wild Use First-Period Surge to Down Rockets, 5-3 - Kelowna Rockets
- Giants Defeat B.C. Division Leading Vees in Shootout - Vancouver Giants
- Early Burst Not Enough as Spokane Edges Portland - Portland Winterhawks
- Cougars Close Homestand with Statement 5-2 Win over Blazers - Prince George Cougars
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