Trail, BC: The Vernon Vipers scored three 3rd period goals including the game winner with just 72 seconds left to win 4-3 in Trail on Tuesday night.
The Smoke Eaters opened the scoring in the first period on a powerplay as Kent Johnson let a shot go from the left circle that found its way through traffic to make it 1-0. The Vipers had a good response as a point shot from Jack Judson was stopped, but Jesse Lansdell hooked in the loose puck to make it 1-1. The period ended by that score with the shots 13-9 Trail.
The Vipers had some good chances on some powerplays early on and generated some zone time but couldn’t find the back of the net. It was a pretty defensive period although the Smokies put up 11 shots, although some were from the outside. Aidan Porter made a phenomenal save in the period to keep it tied. Kent Johnson scored his 2nd of the night as he caused a turnover in the neutral zone and broke in on a breakaway and slipped a shot through the five hole. That score held up after 2 periods.
In the third it was all Vipers early on. Jesse Lansdell set up Coleton Bilodeau in front of the net to make it 2-2. Just 24 seconds later, Connor Marritt walked off the left wall and snapped home a shot to the blocker side to give the Vipers their first lead of the night. Carter Jones tied it up with just over 6 minutes left as he walked out from behind the goal. The Vipers nearly took the lead back as a bouncing puck found Teddy Wooding at the side of the net, but he couldn’t bank it in. In the last 2 minutes of regulation, Jagger Williamson was sprung on a breakaway. He was stopped on the initial chances, but Jesse Lansdell potted home the rebound with just 72 seconds left. The Smokies would push for the equalizer but couldn’t get much zone time and the horn sounded for the 4-3 Vipers win.
Here’s the unofficial scoring summary:
1ST PERIOD
TRA – Kent Johnson (5) – Trevor Zins (5), Carter Jones (5) – 3:59 (PPG)
VER – Jesse Lansdell (3) – Jack Judson (4), Brendan Kim (2) – 11:03
2ND PERIOD
TRA – Kent Johnson (6) – Chase Stevenson (5) – 11:59
3RD PERIOD
VER – Coleton Bilodeau (1) – Jesse Lansdell (6), Carver Watson (3) – 3:09
VER – Connor Marritt (2) – Matt Kowalski (2), Trey Taylor (2) – 3:33
TRA – Carter Jones (4) – Diarmad DiMurro (3), Owen Ozar (4) – 13:51
VER – Jesse Lansdell (4) – Jagger Williamson (6), Jack Judson (5) – 18:48
Game 4 is set for Wednesday night at 7pm at the Trail Memorial Centre.
