In a game that saw a 10 goal outpouring, 7 of the came in the 2nd period, but it was the Vipers coming out on top of a 6-4 win to take a 2-0 series lead in their best of 7 set against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
The Vipers had a quick start and once again it was the line of Brown, Sandhu and Latta and Brown set up Jordan Sandhu for his first of the playoffs to cap off a long 2 on 1 rush. Midway through the period the Silverbacks took advantage of a powerplay as Hudson Schandor turned a ripped shot for his first of the post season to tie the game up at 1. The tie lasted just 63 seconds as Derek Brown finished off a fantastic individual effort for his second of the playoffs to restore the Viper lead. The Vipers peppered the Salmon Arm goal while on a powerplay with 7 shots that Reid Cooper was able to keep out. The period favoured the Vipers 2-1 after 1.
The goals came fast and furious in the middle frame as the teams combined for 7 goals. Jimmy Lambert got it started with his first of the playoffs to make it 3-1. Connor Marritt tipped in his first to make it 4-1 and that would end the night for Reid Cooper. The Vipers rudely greeted Kyle Dumba as Josh Latta tapped home his 2nd of the post season to make it 5-1. Those goals came in a 1 minute and 16 second span. The Silverbacks cut the deficit midway through the period as Rhett Kingston tipped in a point shot to make it 5-2. Julian Timba made it 5-3 just under a minute later. The Vipers called a timeout and made good use of it as Jagger Williamson was set up right after it to make it 6-3. The Silverbacks scored a late on a goal from Trevor Adams to make it 6-4 after 2 periods.
The Vipers tightened up in the third period surrendering just 6 shots, but one grade A opportunity that tested Ty Taylor who scrambled across to make a great save keeping it 6-4. Kyle Dumba was solid in the final frame turning aside 10 shots. The Silverbacks couldn’t find the back of the net in final minutes and the Vipers would take game 2 by a 6-4 score.
The Vipers will now head to Salmon Arm for games 3 and 4 starting Tuesday night at 7pm
