CHILLIWACK, SEPTEMBER 24, 2016 – It was an odd game of special teams with 15 minor penalties assessed and that proved to be the Vipers undoing as they fell 6-3. The penalty kill was solid killing off 7 of 9, but the time spent shorthanded allowed the Wild to get the lead and hold it for 60 minutes.
The Vipers fell behind the 8 ball early in this one as the Wild scored on the first shot and shift of the game as Colin Burston redirected a shot home just 35 seconds in. The Vipers found themselves parading to the penalty box as they found themselves shorthanded 5 times. The Wild could only muster 1 goal on the powerplay as Matt Baker finished off a nice passing play to give Wenatchee a 2-0 lead. Cole Demers outstanding in the period stopping 12 shots put his way.
More penalty trouble for both sides as the Wild took an early penalty and Steven Jandric was able to poke home a loose puck for his 5th goal of the season to make it 2-1. The Wild would convert shortly after a powerplay expired as Dakota Raabe knocked a puck out of mid air to make it 3-1. The Vipers had more issues staying out the box and Slava Demin took a seeing eye wristshot through a maze of bodies to give Wenatchee a 4-1 lead and a second powerplay goal.
The Vipers got back to business in the third period and were able to cut the deficit to 4-3 thanks to a powerplay goal from Christian Cakebread and a first BCHL goal from Shane Kelly. The Wild responded just 17 seconds later with a dagger off the stick of Colin Burston who scored his second of the game to make it 5-3. The Wild added an empty netter to finish the game off 6-3.
Cole Demers was stellar in goal stopping 40 on 45, while the Viper powerplay remained red hot going 2 for 6.
The Vipers are back in action to kick off a 3 game in 3 night road trip in Powell River on Friday night. Puck drop is 7:15 on 107.5 KissFM
