Vernon, BC: The Vipers rallied late in regulation to force OT, but the Prince George Spruce Kings outlasted the Snakes in a 4-3 overtime win in Game 3.
As they did in Game 2, the Vipers came out flying in the opening period. Getting a number of good looks at the Prince George goal. However, as in Game 2, it was the Spruce Kings who opened the scoring as Corey Cunningham was found in front of the net, and slipped in the 1-0 goal. That score would stand up after 1 despite the Vipers heavy shot advantage of 18-8.
In the second, the Vipers drew even after a fantastic pass from Ben Sanderson found Teddy Wooding open at the left post and he deflected home his 5th of the playoffs. Prince George would retake the lead on a powerplay when Max Coyle walked into a shot from the ringette line, crossbar and in to make it 2-1. The Vipers found themselves on a powerplay of their own late in the period and Lane Zablocki rifled home his second of the playoffs to make it 2-2 after 2.
Early in the third period Nick Poisson pounced on a rebound to give PG another lead. That lead would hold up for most of the period until Lane Zablock struck again walking off the left wall and letting loose a lazer past Logan Neaton to make it 3-3 forcing overtime.
In overtime, both teams had great looks early on, but couldn’t beat the netminders. Ben Poisson ended the game 12 minutes into the extra period sliding home a rebound to give the Spruce Kings a 4-3 win and a 3-0 series lead.
Game 4 will go Wednesday night at Kal Tire Place.
