Vernon, BC: The Vernon Vipers surrendered 4 first period goals, which proved to be too much to overcome as they fall 4-1 to the Prince George Spruce Kings.
The Vipers faced an early shorthanded situation and were able to kill it off to keep it scoreless early. The Vipers got caught with too many men on the ice and the Spruce Kings took advantage as Dustin Manz tipped home a point shot to make it 1-0. The Vipers had a couple of good shifts resulting in a powerplay. The man advantage generated a couple of chances, but couldn’t find the back of the net. Shortly after the momentum halted as Prince George went back to the powerplay as Patrick Cozzi was set up in the left circle to make it 2-0. The Spruce Kings jumped on the board again as Ben Brar scored to make it 3-0. The Vipers were again in a shorthanded situation and again the Spruce Kings struck as Max Coyle snapped home a goal. The period ended 4-0 in favour of the visitors.
The Vipers had some quick jump coming out the intermission and nearly got on the board as Josh Latta had the chance. Brendan Kim had a glorious opportunity a few moments later but Logan Neaton robbed him with the glove. The Vipers kept the Spruce Kings to just 4 shots in the period, but had trouble gaining traction and the period concluded 4-0.
The physicality picked up in the third as Landon Fuller stepped into Ben Brar along the boards. The Vipers broke the shutout bid as Teddy Wooding finished off a passing play to make it 4-1. Things got chippy as Michael Young dropped the gloves with Dustin Manz in a spirited tilt. The final horn sounded with the score 4-1 Prince George.
The Vipers will head to the island next weekend starting Friday night in Nanaimo to take on the Clippers.
