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Vees Spoil New Year’s Day

The Vernon Vipers aimed to kick off 2016 with a bang, but unfortunately it was not to be for the Snakes as they dropped a 6-0 decision to the rival Penticton Vees. The Vees powerplay went 3 for 5 and that proved to be the dagger that slipped the Vipers record against Penticton to 0-3-0-2.

The Vipers found themselves behind the 8 ball pretty early as they tried to set the tone, but were a little to physical and were faced with a 5 on 3 penalty kill. The Vees wouldn’t take long to take advantage as Dante Fabbro let loose a rocket from the left point to make it 1-0. The Vipers would settle down and get back to Viper hockey as they continued to play with a physical edge, but remained within the rules. The Vipers would a powerplay in the period and despite moving the puck around well, couldn’t get anything by the goaltender Zach Driscoll. The period was fairly chippy and even featured a shouting match between players after the periods end.

It was a pretty efficient start to the second period for the Vernon Vipers, who carried on their solid play over from the first period. They didn’t spend a lot of time in their own zone and were moving pucks through the neutral zone. In a sequence that had the Vipers turned back at the Vees blue line, Owen Sillinger would find Tyson Jost back door and he was able to lift the puck up over Andrew Shortridge to make it 2-0. The Vipers had a glorious opportunity right after that to cut the deficit, but Liam Finlay was stopped in tight by Zach Driscoll keep the deficit at 2. The Vipers then got themselves into some penalty trouble and again the Vees would take advantage as Scott Conway would step into a shot from the left circle over the glove of Shortridge. Late in the period the Vees would tack onto their lead as again it was Conway, this time a redirection of a Griffin Mendel point shot to make it 4-0. Another PP for the Vees had Fabbro unleashing a rocket, far post and in, to make it 5-0 with just 24 seconds left in the period.

It was a much better effort in the third period for the Vernon Vipers, the goal to win the period and they played like a refocused team. At that point in the game it was setting up some building blocks for the rematch a week from now. The only goal in the period game off the stick of Conway on rebound in front of the Viper goal. The Vipers had a few chances in the third period trying to break the shutout bid of Driscoll, but were thwarted by the Vees goaltender and the final horn would sound making it a 6-0 Penticton win.

Vipers Assistant Coach Kevin Kraus had these thoughts on the game…

Scoring Summary:

Period 1
PEN – Dante Fabbro (8) – Conway, Jost 1:46 (PP)

Period 2
PEN – Tyson Jost (25) – Sillinger, Brodzinski 8:57
PEN – Scott Conway (32) – Jost, Brodzinski 11:41 (PP)
PEN – Scott Conway (33) – Mendel, Bowen 19:00
PEN – Dante Fabbro (9) – Conway, Brodzinski 19:36 (PP)

Period 3
PEN – Scott Conway (34) – Sillinger 11:05

Game Stars

Penticton – Scott Conway – 3G, 2A

Scott Conway continues to roll through this BCHL season as he tallied goals 32, 33, and 34. The only player with more goals is Sheldon Rempal, thats pretty lofty company. He’s also really enjoyed playing against the Vipers. He always seems to be in the right area to set up a linemate or rifle a puck home on his own. In the 6 games the Vees were without Jost and Fabbro, it was Conway who really carried this team and he started 2016 in similar fashion.

Vernon – Jagger Williamson – 2 shot blocks

In a game that finished rather lopsided, Jagger Williamson continues to impress in his attention to detail in his own zone. In addition to that, the Lumby product threw his weight around with a few quality body checks.

Final Thoughts

This is a game where the takeaway and main difference was a lack of discipline. The Vipers generated a number of quality scoring chances, but the bounces weren’t to end up in the back of the Vees net. In order to have success against a team the calibre of the Vees you have to remain 5 on 5. This upcoming week is important for this Viper team as they will get a lot of opportunity to practice and get back on track for the rematch between these two teams next Friday.