VERNON, B.C. MARCH 23rd, 2017
The Vernon Vipers have advanced to the BCHL’s Interior Conference Finals with a 6-2 win in game five over the Trail Smoke Eaters. Despite clinching the series four games to one, it was a hard fought battle with a depleted Smoke Eaters roster putting everything on the line.
In the first period, it looked like the Smoke Eaters still had some fuel left in the tank with a couple of good chances while the Vipers couldn’t find the back of the net. In the second period, both teams were able to get on the board. Austin Adamson opened the scoing for the Vipers but Trail would jump out to a 2-1 lead on goals from Mitchell Barker and Vernon native Blaine Caton. The Vipers would take the lead after the midway mark of the 2nd period with goals from Michael Ufberg and Jagger Williamson who scored a beautiful shorthanded marker.
In the 3rd period, it seemed like the Vipers were dominating the game and the Smokies didn’t have much left to give as Cooper Watson would score the insurance marker while Riley Brandt and Jagger Williamson scored empty net goals to ice the win!
The Snakes will now face either the Merritt Centennials or the Penticton Vees in the next round with that Interior Conference series headed to Game 6 back in Merritt.
