Bonar Big For Vees:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Bonar big for Vees

Published: December 15, 2009

Penticton Vees’ netminder Sean Bonar usually tries to block out B.C. Hockey League crowds. Focus in his line of work is paramount.

However, the buzz created by the 4,522 fans Saturday night at the South Okanagan Events Centre reminded the 18-year-old Delta product so much of the Kraft Hockeyville contest, he couldn’t help but feed off it.

Bonar recorded 36 stops for first star as the Vees clipped the Vernon Vipers 3-2 in double overtime.

Penticton (28-5-0-2) has now accounted for three of Vernon’s four losses (two in regulation, and one in OT).

“I love playing Vernon and in front of 4,500 people. It couldn’t have been a better night,” said Bonar, who turned aside several Viper OT chances in close before the Vees counterattacked, with Matt Paltridge (9th goal) collecting the winner at 3:40, beating netminder Graeme Gordon (25 saves) from the slot.

Said Vipers’ forward Robbie Short: “He (Bonar) played phenomenal...well enough to give his team a chance to win, for sure. Since he came back from that (World Junior A Challenge) and the Prospects game, he seems to be on fire.”

The enormous crowd was generated by a group of Penticton businesses, who got together to hold a fundraiser, which raised more than $31,000 for charity. Tickets were 2-for-1 and beer was $2.

Said Vipers’ assistant coach Jason Williamson: “It was one of the biggest Junior A crowds you’ll ever see. It was for charity, it was a great atmosphere and it was fun to play in.”

Jonathan Milhouse (10th) gave Vernon (31-2-0-2) the start they were looking for, taking a nice backdoor feed from Connor Jones while on a 5-on-3 early in the first period.

Williamson felt they were unfortunate not to have scored more after outshooting the Vees 23-11 after 40 minutes.

“He (Bonar) was definitely the difference,” he said. “He made some unreal saves, and we missed some opportunities. And they were pretty opportunistic in the third period.

After a scoreless second period, Joey Laleggia (5th) equalized for Penticton two minutes into the final frame. Milhouse (11th) then took a nice feed from Mike Collins on a rush and ripped his shot top shelf to restore Vernon’s lead.

Penticton’s Garrett Milan (19th) forced overtime midway through the third period.

The Vipers entertain the Victoria Grizzlies (17-12-2-5) and Nanaimo Clippers (15-10-1-7) Friday and Saturday night respectively at Wesbild.

“It’s business as usual,” said Short. “We don’t do anything special to prepare for a different team. For the first few minutes we might just feel each other out so we know what to expect, but after that we’ll just settle into our game.”