Vernon, BC: The Vernon Vipers and Salmon Arm Backs added another chapter to their Interior Division Rivalry as the visiting Backs defeated the Vipers 4-3 in a shootout at Kal Tire Place.
The Vipers fell behind early as Trevor Adams struck first for the Silverbacks after a centering pass from behind the net. The Vipers did a great job after that of taking the period over and testing the Silverback goal. The Vipers drew even on a powerplay as Carver Watson snapped home his first of the year in the final minute to send it to the intermission 1-1.
Things got a little chippy early in the second as Olson Werenka was called for interference after a collision with Elan Bar-Lev-Wise. Landon Fuller took exception and went after Werenka. Fuller was assessed a fighting major as he was the only willing combatant and the Vipers faced a lengthy shortman situation. The Vipers penalty kill was air tight all night and surrendered a handful of shots and killed it off. The Vipers powerplay then had consecutive chances and as a 5 on 3 was expiring, Sebastian Streu wired a slap shot from the left circle under the bar to give Vernon the 2-1 lead after 2.
The third period took a little time to get flowing and the Vipers for 15 minutes of it did a good job of frustrating the Silverbacks. The Backs, however, were able to draw even as Jonathan Krahn scored his 2nd of the year. The Vipers roared right back as Michael Young restored his teams lead with just 2 minutes left. The Vipers had a couple of looks to seal the game into an empty net, but narrowly missed. That proved costly as Matthew Verboon tied the game up with just 10 seconds left on the clock.
In overtime, the Vipers penalty kill came up large again killing off a late powerplay for Salmon Arm forcing a shootout.
In the shootout the Backs scored on both of their chances, while the Vipers couldn’t find the back of the net, finishing the game 4-3 for Salmon Arm.
The Vipers will hit the road for a weekend trip through the Mainland Division starting Friday night in Coquitlam.
