The Vernon Vipers to enjoy home cooking this season as they take on the West Kelowna Warriors for their 4th game of a 5 game homestand on Wednesday. The Vipers are riding high after taking 7 of a possible 8 points last week against Penticton (2), Nanaimo and Prince George. Two Vipers were recognized for their fantastic play as Darion Hanson was awarded the BCHL Player of the Week, while forward Steven Jandric was an honorable mention. This is the 6th of 7 meetings with the Tribe who have 2 more visits to make to the friendly confines.
The Vipers mounted a fantastic comeback on Sunday afternoon with a 5-4 OT win over PG. The Vipers trailed 4-1 with 7 minutes to play before rattling off 4 unanswered bookended by Ryan Brushett. The Verdun, Quebec product has 3 goals in his last 4 games. He’s not the only Viper on a tear offensively, as Austin Adamson has 3 goals and 2 assists in his last 3 games. The offensive depth of this hockey team continues to impress despite being undermanned with just 16 skaters getting minutes on Sunday.
As good as the Vipers have been in their last 5 games with points in 4 of 5, the Warriors have struggled. In fairness to West Kelowna, they are coming off an unenviable trip that took them to Victoria, Powell River and Chilliwack in 3 days. That travel, plus a surplus of injuries really cost the Tribe as they took just one point of a possible six. It’s a busy month of February for West K as they play 12 games in 25 days. This visit to Vernon is the 5th game on a lengthy roadie. They will finish up the journey in Merritt on Friday. West K still holds their positioning in their own hands with 2 games in hand on Trail and 1 on Merritt. They sit in 4th place, tied with Merritt, 5 points up on Salmon Arm.
The Vipers have won the last two meetings between these two teams by a combined score of 8-2.
You can catch all the action on 107.5 KissFM starting at 6:45 or watch on HockeyTV
