WENATCHEE WA. OCTOBER 11th, 2017
The Vipers continued their mastery of shorthanded goals in the first period. Despite an early penalty against, Jagger Williamson blocked a shot and was able to push in on a partial break away. He released a low hard shot that eluded Seth Eisele blocker side to give the Vipers a 1-0 lead just 3 minutes into the game. The Vipers took another penalty, but again it was the penalty kill that led the charge as Keyvan Mokhtari picked the pocket of Jasper Weatherby and deked out the goaltender to tally his 4th of the season to make it 2-0.
Five on five the Wild game plan seemed simple yet effective as they funneled pucks at Anthony Yamnitsky who had many bodies to deal with. Daniel Chladek deflected home one of those shots for his 2nd of the season to cut the Viper lead to 2-1.
The Wild started the second period on the powerplay and it took just 41 seconds before Chad Sasaki’s shot from the right circle found its way through a maze of bodies to make it 2-2. That goal really seemed to spark Wild as they really limited the Vipers. The Snakes did get a few chances at the Wild goal, but Keyvan Mokhtari ripped one off the cross bar. Anthony Yamnitsky was on point stopping a number of great chances to keep his team in a 2-2 tie through 40 minutes.
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The Vipers found themselves behind early in third as Sam Hesler was able to bang home a rebound in front of the net. Despite a couple of powerplays and a definite sense of desperation, the Vipers couldn’t generate the grade A chances they needed. A full court press from the Vipers resulted in a few chances at the goal, but once there, Seth Eisele was able to make the save. In the end, the Wild held on for a 3-2 win.
The Vipers will look to get back to their winning ways as they’ll welcome Nanaimo and Powell River over the weekend.
