Penticton, BC: Max Palaga turned aside 30 of 33 in his Vipers debut, but it wasn’t enough as the Viper offense stalled in a 3-0 loss at the South Okanagan Events Centre on Friday night.
The Vipers had trouble getting their feet moving in the opening period as they were outshot 14-1 in the 1st. Max Palaga stopped 13 of 14 in the period and the Viper PK was sharp killing off 3 Vee chances, but Penticton scored the only goal as Jack Barnes knocked home a rebound to give the home side a 1-0 lead.
It was much of the same in the second, as the Vipers had trouble getting pucks to the Vees net. The Vees increased their lead 12 seconds into the frame, on a 5 on 3 powerplay as Ryan Sandelin was set up in the slot and he ripped it home to make it 2-0. That score would stand up after 2 periods.
In the third, the animosity and physicality picked up quickly as Landon Fuller was in on a couple of hits that had tensions running high. The Vees tacked on a third goal, on a powerplay, as James Miller’s point shot made it through traffic to make it 3-0. Thats the way the game would finish.
The Vipers welcome the Vees to Kal Tire Place on Saturday for Kicking Country night! Puck drop is 6pm