PHOTO: Lisa Mazurek/Lisa Mazurek Photography
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOVEMBER 15th, 2017
VERNON, B.C. – The West Kelowna Warriors used a 43-save performance from Cody Porter to earn a point as they fell by a 3-2 score in double overtime to the Vernon Vipers on Wednesday night at Kal Tire Place.
The first period saw only one goal and came courtesy of a Vernon power play as the Vipers broke an 0-for-17 slump with a goal in the first nine seconds of their man advantage. A Shane Kelly point shot was stopped through traffic by Warriors netminder Cody Porter but the rebound was put in by Jesse Lansdell on the top of the crease for a 1-0 Viper advantage at the 12:41 mark of the period.
The Vipers looked to extend their lead toward the tail end of the 1st period on a shorthanded breakaway after a Warriors turnover as Lansdell hopped on the loose puck and was in all alone from the blue line, attempting to go through the five hole but Porter made a strong save to keep the deficit at one.
That save would prove to be a big one as the Warriors tied the game just 2:57 into the middle stanza thanks to a Michael Ryan point shot. Ryan had his point shot get through traffic in front and by a screened Viper goaltender in Ty Taylor for his 2nd goal of the season and a 1-1 early in the frame.
West Kelowna picked up their first lead of the night under four minutes after tying the game as Stephen Kleysen scored his 6th goal of the season. The Warriors defender got the puck in the slot after Taylor had made a terrific save off of Lucas Cullen in front but the puck kicked out to Kleysen in the slot for a 2-1 Warriors lead at the 6:51 mark of the 2nd period.
The Warriors nursed that one-goal advantage for the majority of the period before the Vipers struck to tie the game once more at the 17:42 mark on another power play. Keyvan Mokhtari attempted to center a pass to the front of the goal from the right face-off circle but had his pass redirected in off a skate in front and by the glove side of Porter for a 2-2 tie at the 17:42 mark of the 2nd frame.
The two sides played to a scoreless 3rd period despite the Vipers being given three power play opportunities including one at the end of regulation as Jake Harrison received a two-minute blow to the head penalty and a ten-minute misconduct, meaning he could not play in the overtime periods.
The first overtime frame went by with limited chances, and a huge penalty kill for the Warriors at the beginning of the period when the second overtime, at 3-on-3 hockey, provided the game with a winner.
Kleysen passed to the glove side post in an effort to get a tip-in for Jared Marino but the puck missed him and wrapped all the way out to centre ice where Jimmy Lambert beat Kleysen to the loose puck near the Vipers bench, skated into the offensive zone and wired a shot on the blocker side of Porter for the win just 1:04 into the double overtime.
Cody Porter started his 2nd game for the Warriors and was very solid between the pipes, turning aside 43 of the 46 shots he faced in the game in suffering his first loss of the season while Ty Taylor made 27 saves on 29 shots in the Vernon crease for his 10th win of the season.
FINAL SCORE: 3-2 (2OT) Vipers
FINAL SHOTS ON GOAL: 46-29 Vipers
Warriors PP: 0/4
Warriors PK: 5/7
3 Stars:
1) Jimmy Lambert (1-0-1)
2) Cody Porter (43 saves on 46 shots)
3) Keyvan Mokhtari (1-0-1)
Fortis Energy Player of the Game: Jesse Lansdell (1-0-1)
ATTENDANCE: 1,669
The Warriors (14-9-0-1) return to action on Friday night as they play host to the Penticton Vees (12-5-2-1) at Royal LePage Place. Face-off is slated for 7:00 PM with tickets available at the Warriors office, by calling (250) 769-7051 or at the door ahead of puck drop. The Warriors close out their weekend schedule with a trip up north to battle the Prince George Spruce Kings.
