The Vernon Vipers were able to jump out to a three goal lead and lean on some great goaltending and solid defense to hold on to defeat the Penticton Vees 4-2. Jesse Lansdell, Austin Adamson and Niko Karamanis (2) had the goals, while Ty Taylor was outstanding turning aside 37 of 39 Penticton shots.
It took the Vipers almost seven minutes to register their first shot, but when they did it counted as a point shot from Shane Kelly was deflected by Jesse Lansdell through the legs of Mat Robson to give the Vipers a 1-0 lead. The Vipers were able to kill off their second penalty of the game and it sparked them as Austin Adamson rifled home a hard shot to the glove side of Robson to extend the lead to 2-0. The Vipers had a late powerplay that they couldn’t convert on but a goal mouth scramble allowed Niko Karamanis to deposit his 13th of the season to give the Vipers a 3-0 lead. Connor Clouston and Jared Nash squared off in the final minut of the period with a spirited tilt, but at the end of 20 minutes, the Vipers led 3-0.
The Vees pushed back in the second period but the Vipers were able to bend not break. Penticton was able to get on the board after a turnover in the Viper end and Taylor Sanheim ripped home his first of the season to make it 3-1. Ty Taylor was spectacular in the middle period as he turned aside all 12 of 13 shots he faced to ensure his team had a two goal lead heading to the third.
The Vees cut the deficit to just a goal a handful of minutes into the third as they executed a play off the faceoff which allowed Jamie Armstrong a quick shot from the slot that beat Taylor. The Vipers held on for a few minutes and it appeared as though the lack of bodies started to wear them down. Ty Taylor was forced to make more big saves and the Vipers had some luck from their goalpost as the Vees clanked iron. With just under 6 minutes to play and on a delayed penalty, a point shot from Michael Ufberg would be deflected by Niko Karamanis to give the Vipers a crucial two goal lead. The Vipers were able to steer home the final few minutes and the final would be 4-2.
The Vipers push their win streak to 4 games and are unbeaten in their last 8 games.
The Vipers will now head up north to face the Prince George Spruce Kings to finish off a three game road trip. All the action can be heard on 107.5 KissFM and seen on HockeyTV.
