Vernon, BC: It was the annual Blue/White game at Kal Tire Place on Wednesday night to wrap up the Vernon Vipers training camp.
This was the last opportunity for some hopefuls before the preseason starts on Friday.
Team Blue struck early as Elan Bar-lev-Wise deflected home a point shot from Blake Bryce at 8:06. Team Blue heavily out shot Team White for the majority of the game and specifically in the first period when Ross Hawryluk was tested early and often. The product out of Lloydminster was solid in the first frame as it ended 1-0.
Team White exploded in the first half of the 2nd period scoring 2 goals just 14 seconds apart as Ben Sanderson fired up the afterburners and slid home the tying tally. Moments later Connor Marritt finished off a nice play started by Seiya Tanaka-Campbell. At the 8 minute mark Curtis Hammond followed up on a Ben Helgeson net front drive to make it 3-1 white midway thru the game. Both teams would switch their goalies as Max Palaga and Ross Hawryluk were replaced by Kobe Grant and Dawson Pelletier. Team Blue got the game within one as Ryan Shostak sniped one through traffic to make it 3-2 after 2 periods.
In the third, it was Team White taking advantage of their opportunities Curtis Hammond was Johnny on the spot in front to ring up his 2nd of the night which would stand up as the eventual game winner. Connor Sleeth hit the back of the net in the final minute for Team Blue, but it wasn’t enough as the final horn sounded to give Team White a 4-3 win.
Overall, Head Coach and GM of the Vipers, Jason McKee was happy with the effort. “This was a good evaluation tool for our staff as we prepare for the exhibition part of the schedule.”
Following the game, the Vipers trimmed their roster to 34 players to begin exhibition play.
The Vipers welcome the Grande Prairie Storm on Friday night for the first of three home dates in the preseason. Tickets are $5 for adults and kids get in free.
