COQUITLAM, B.C. NOVEMBER 27th, 2016
The Vernon Vipers took advantage of a road weary and injury riddled Coquitlam Express team on Saturday night, but despite the beleaguered home team, the Vipers looked very strong and stuck with the game plan put in place. The Snakes rattled off 5 second period goals, tacked one more on in the 3rd and shutdown the Coquitlam offense, to skate away with a 6-0 win.
The Vipers took a few shifts to get going the first period and were held to just 1 shot through the first 5 minutes. Eventually they found their legs and hemmed the Express in their own zone. Had it not been for the stellar play of Reid Cooper, the game could’ve gotten lopsided early. It wasn’t so much quality shots, but quantity for the Vipers in the opening period. They put 22 pucks on goal, but found themselves scoreless with Coquitlam after 1 period.
The second period was more of the same, but instead of the quantity of shots they had in the first, it was quality and they made good on the ones they got. Michael Ufberg opened the scoring with a slap shot from the left point with six players parked in front that found its way through Cooper to make it 1-0. Brett Stapley would add to the lead after a nice pass from Steven Jandric to make it 2-0. Luke Gingras would finish off a 2 on 1 just 34 seconds later to increase to the lead to 3-0. Shane Kelly got into the action with a point shot to make it 4-0. In the final minute of the period Gingras would add another to make it 5-0 after 2.
Steven Jandric would bury on a nice 3 on 2 rush at the 6 minute mark of the third to cap the games scoring. The Viper penalty kill would be tested as the Express had 3 straight powerplays with an opportunity to end the shut out bid, but the PK came up strong and so did their goaltender as Darion Hanson turned aside all 18 shots he faced to help the Vipers to a 6-0 win.
The Vipers will finish off their road trip Sunday afternoon in Langley for a date with the Rivermen.
The Vipers hold a win over the Riv 11 days ago, 5-2 at Kal Tire Place.
The Rivermen will be looking to even the series and have played some good hockey since their date with the Vipers. They have 5 of 6 points in their last 3 games and have played very well at home.
There’s no rest for the wicked as both teams are finishing off a 3 game in 3 day weekend and it will be debatable who should have the edge in the energy department.
You can hear all the action from the George Preston Arena starting at 1:45 with the pregame show and the play by play starting at 2pm on 107.5 KissFM.
