PENTICTON, British Columbia (Interstat) — The Tri-City Americans will visit the Penticton Vees in minor league hockey action Friday at South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, British Columbia. Tri-City enters with a 6-7 record, while Penticton is 5-9.

The Americans will look to build on their most recent result, a 3-2 win at Prince George. Grady Martin led Tri-City in that game with two goals and three shots on goal. Xavier Wendt made 19 saves on 21 shots, and Aden Bouchard added an assist and three shots. Martin has been a consistent offensive presence in recent games. He had a goal, two shots and five penalty minutes in a 4-2 win at Prince George, recorded four shots in a loss at Kamloops, and posted three shots in a 5-0 win against Everett. He also had two shots and two penalty minutes in a loss to Lethbridge and an assist and one shot in a 4-2 loss at Penticton.

Penticton won its most recent game, 4-2 at Red Deer. Tyler Deakos had two assists and three shots in that victory. Gavin Katz scored once with two shots, and Noel Pakarinen scored once with three shots and two penalty minutes. Deakos has been productive over a longer stretch. He had a goal and an assist with five shots and two penalty minutes in a 4-3 loss at Calgary, and he has recorded multiple shots in several recent appearances. He also had a goal and an assist in an earlier meeting against Tri-City.

The teams have split their two most recent head-to-head meetings. Penticton won 4-2 at home, and Tri-City answered with a 5-2 home win. The Vees will seek another strong home performance, while the Americans will try to carry momentum from their latest road victory into the matchup. Tri-City’s other recent results include a 4-2 win at Prince George, a 4-0 loss at Kamloops, a 2-1 home win against Everett, a 3-1 home loss to Everett, a 4-1 win at Wenatchee, a 5-0 home win against Everett, a 5-3 home loss to Lethbridge, a 4-2 loss at Penticton and a 3-2 loss at Spokane. Penticton’s other recent results include a 4-3 loss at Calgary, a 5-1 loss to Vancouver, a 2-0 loss at Wenatchee, a 2-0 loss to Portland, a 5-2 loss at Tri-City, a 7-4 loss to Brandon, a 3-2 shootout loss to Swift Current, a 3-2 overtime win against Vancouver and a 3-1 loss at Kelowna.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of Penticton 3, Tri-City 2. Interstat’s ELO system gives Penticton a 70.8 percent probability to win. The over/under for the game is 5.5.