The Vernon Vipers 8 game unbeaten streak came to a close on Saturday night as they dropped a 4-1 decision to the Penticton Vees. Shane Kelly was the only Viper able to get one past Adam Scheel who stopped 29 shots to propel his team to the win.
It was a bit of a tentative start to the hockey game as both teams played a tight checking game that didn’t result in many shots or scoring chances. The game started to open up a bit midway through the period. The Vipers peppered the Vees goal while on a powerplay and Adam Scheel made a handful of big saves to keep the game scoreless. The Vees broke the tie as Taylor Ward deflected home a puck at the side of the goal to make it 1-0 Penticton. The Vipers had a good push back, but could get one and the period would end 1-0 Penticton.
It was a pretty choppy first half of the period as a lot of pucks found their way out of play. There was no real flow, despite the fact that it was even strength for most. Play didn’t pick up until the midway mark as finally both teams were able to skate with a bit more space, but no scoring until the last 5 minutes of the frame. Johnny Tychonick on a powerplay was able to score to make it 2-0. Just 90 seconds later, Jordan Henderson made it 3-0 on a shot with bodies in front. The Vipers were finally able to get luck on their side as Shane Kelly from the goaline scored his 2nd of the year in the ifnal minute. The score was 3-1 Penticton after 2.
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In the third period, the Vipers pushed to get within one. They had a handful of grade A scoring chances, but ran into some hot goaltending the Vees crease. Connor Marritt nearly converted in the blue paint shortly before a promising rush from Keyvan Mokhtari was stopped. Time would become the enemy of the Vipers as the Vees would ice it into an empty net, with Vernon up a man. The Viper unbeaten streak would end at an impressive 8, with a 4-1 loss to Penticton.
The Vipers will welcome the West Kelowna Warriors on Wednesday night for their third meeting in just over three weeks at the friendly confines of Kal Tire Place.
