PENTICTON, B.C. OCTOBER 6th, 2017
The Vipers came as close as a team could come to forcing overtime in the final seconds, but a near buzzer beater was overturned and the Vipers came a millisecond short in a 3-2 loss in Penticton.
A feeling out process in the first period. Not a lot of scoring opportunites. The Vipers PK was forced into action early as Jesse Lansdell was assessed an interference penalty. The PK was very solid as they didn’t allow a shot while short a man and 5 on 5 play would take over. The Vees got on the board first as Jack Barnes poked home his first BCHL goal on a loose puck as it bounced to the Viper goal. The Vipers found themselves on a 5 on 3 powerplay and just as the first PP was expiring, Brett Stapley set up Jimmy Lambert for his 4th goal of the season to tie the game. An evenly matched period, ended even at 1.
The Vipers forecheck and speed were on display in the second period as it led to a few powerplays. The Vipers used it to get momentum, but couldn’t get anything through the penalty kill or the goaltender Adam Scheel. The Vees were able to get their second lead of the night as Cassidy Bowes tipped home his 2nd of the season off a Jonny Tychonick point shot. The officials discussed whether it was tipped with a high stick, the goal stood and the Vipers found themselves behind 2-1 despite outshooting the Vees 12-6 in the period.
LISTEN TO THE POST GAME SHOW COMMENTS
Games between these two teams are generally tight, but the third period was a wild back and forth affair. The Vees slowed up the Vipers neutral zone attack, limiting the time the Snakes spent in the offensive zone. Near the midway mark of the period, the Vipers were given a roughing penalty, but as has been the case, the PK was driving the offense as Niko Karamanis was sprung on a breakaway and slid home his 3rd of the season. The PK couldn’t hold however as Jackson Keane scored his first of the season a minute later to give the Vees their one goal lead back. A late powerplay and a 6 on 4 attack nearly netted the tying goal in the final seconds as Tanner Wishnowski whipped a puck at the goal and it went in as time expired. The officials talked it over and the goal was denied as the Vipers fell a whisker short in a 3-2 loss.
The Vipers will look to even the season series Saturday night as the Vees come to town on Minor Hockey/Ringette night. Puck drop is at 6 at Kal Tire Place.
