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Bulldogs Nip The Snakes In Double OT

PORT ALBERNI, OCTOBER 1ST, 2016 – The Vernon Vipers earned a single point losing 3-2 in double-overtime to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.

The Vipers had a solid first handful of shifts where they looked like they were skating hard and moving their feet. They had a good scoring chance off the hop, but couldn’t beat Brody Claeys. The Bulldogs had a great chance of their own that was stopped by Cole Demers. The Vipers had one noticeable defensive mistake in the period and it resulted in a goal as Ryan Steele found himself open in the slot and re-directed a slap pass from Trevor Cosgrove to make it 1-0.

The Vipers had a nice response and were doing a nice job of evading the Bulldog high pressure forecheck and moved the puck up the ice effectively. The Snakes tied it up after a turnover at their own blueline as Tyler Maser and Derek Osik combined to finish off a 2 on 1 with Osik tallying his second of the season to make it 1-1. A few good chances followed for the both teams in the final few minutes, but the period would finish 1-1.

It was a very good defensive effort by both sides in the middle period, but the Vipers would score the only goal early as they killed off a Bulldog powerplay and Shane Kelly would fire a puck from the right hashmarks that somehow found its way through Brody Claeys to give the Vipers their first lead of the night. The Vipers were challenged in the final 4 minutes after a double minor penalty to Kelly and the Vipers PK was stellar blocking a handful and only surrendering one shot on that powerplay. That kill was crucial as the Vipers would take a 2-1 lead into the dressing room after 40 minutes.

The Bulldogs pushed the pace in the final frame while down a goal. Cole Demers made a couple of big saves to keep his team in the lead before a bouncing puck found its way to the back of the net off the stick of Bulldog captain Jordan Sandhu. The Vipers had a couple of good chances with the game tied, but couldn’t find a way to beat Brody Claeys.

Nothing was solved in the first overtime although the Vipers had the best chance on a two on one where Ryan Brushett was stopped by the shoulder of Claeys. The second overtime started and the Bulldogs would complete the comeback as Connor Welsh ripped home a drop pass to give the home side the extra point and a 3-2 win.

The Vipers will look to get back on the winning note Sunday afternoon in Nanaimo as they take on the Clippers. The pregame show starts at 1:45 with the play by play starting at 2pm on 107.5 KissFM