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On March 6, 1955, the V’s put Penticton on the hockey map by defeating Russia for the World Championship. Fast-forward 57 years and on March 6, 2012, the Penticton Vees put themselves in the Canadian Junior Hockey League record books with their 41st straight win, a streak that has garnered national attention. When the Vees won their 40th straight, equalling a mark set by Sudbury and the Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats, Vees coach-GM Fred Harbinson said, “This thing has gotten so stupid.” “Usually a big winning steak is five games,” said Harbinson. “If our fans want to get excited about 40 or 41 or whatever it is, then they should. That is what hockey is about. That is what our league is about — entertainment. I think we have given that this year in our league.” Over 3,600 fans applauded the efforts of the No. 1 ranked team in the CJHL Tuesday night as the Vees also set a British Columbia Hockey League record with their 53rd win. Vees power forward Curtis Loik said the run has been incredible. “I was talking to my roommate Steven Fogarty today (Tuesday) on the drive in and we’re like, it’s been a long time since we’ve lost,” said Loik, who finished the year with 17 goals and 20 assists in 52 games. “We’ve had some games where we were losing but, we never really had a scare. Well, we had a few scares, but not a lot. We have this confidence that even if we’re down or if we’re up, we always come out with it. It’s a great feeling.” Fogarty, a New York Rangers prospect, said they used the streak as a motivator, knowing the opportunity was there to break a record. The Edina, Minn., product said they have accomplished something special. While winning streaks isn’t a goal heading into a new season, teams do want to put up as many wins as they can. “We really didn’t talk about the streak too much,” said Fogarty. “When we had an opportunity to break that 29, we used that as motivation.” Travis St. Denis said it’s a load off the player’s shoulders, but is something they are all proud of.
Back Row (Left to Right): Zach Urban (6), Kyle Beaulieu (2 Wade Murphy (12), Nick Buchanan (4). Middle Row (Left (11), Jordan McCallum (AP), Curtis Loik (24), Troy Stecher (7 Bryce Gervais (71), Kam Crawford (AP), Geoff Carter (Train to Right): Michael Garteig (1), Alex Jewell (AP), Ryan Reilly (GM/HC), Steve Cawley (A/C), Grant Nicholson (10), Cody
“I never would have thought I would be part of something like this,” said St. Denis. “It’s definitely really special. It will be a tough record to break definitely.” On Friday, the Vees tied the Flin Flon Bombers’ mark of 42 straight wins set in 1981-82 when they defeated the Prince George Spruce Kings 8-5 in Prince George. Loik said he knew this group would be special when he was told what the coaching staff had planned for building the team. “I talked to coaches in the summer and I heard we were bringing in some big players like Sainter (St. Denis),”