Minnesota-fueled Penticton ties BCHL record with 29th win in a row

The Penticton Vees, a team with eight Minnesotans, tied a 22-year-old British Columbia Hockey League record on Friday.

The Vees beat the Chilliwack Chiefs 5-1 before about 3,800 fans at home for their 29th win in a row. New Westminster won 29 consecutive games in 1989-90 during a 38-game unbeaten streak.

Chilliwack scored the first goal of the game but it was 1-1 after the first period.

Forward Connor Reilly, one of three Reilly brothers who will be Gophers next season, gave the Vees a 2-1 lead in the second period. Mario Lucia, Don's son, set up the goal with a saucer pass from one of the corners.

Penticton, now 41-3-0-2 (the two stands for OT losses), scored three goals in the third period to break open the game.

Steve Fogarty, a former Edina player headed to Notre Dame like Lucia, made it 3-1 and defenseman Mike Reilly scored the net goal.

Mike Reilly was named the No. 1 star of the game. He had one goal and one assists. His brother Connor had one goal and two assists.

Penticton outshot the Chiefs 46-23 in this game. Connor Reilly's goal was his 33rd this season. It was Fogarty's 24th goal and Mike Reilly's 19th. Lucia had two assists in the game.

Mike Hengen, a Vees assistant coach, said his players were nervous for this game. "Just relax, settle down and play your game," Hengen said the coaches told them. "They are a confident group and the kids put on a one heck of a show."