The Vernon Vipers shaved the Westside Warriors 3-2 in the opening game of the Conference Semi-Final.
The Vipers off for the last 16 days, thanks to first round bye, came out firing outshooting Westside 14-5 in the opening frame, but the game was held scoreless after one period.
Kevin Boyle stood on his head and made some highlight reel saves for Westside especially while Vernon was on a power-play in period one.
Warriors Captain Alex Grieve had just stepped out of the penalty box two minutes into the second when Marcus Basara let a goal line shot fly over the left shoulder of a stunned Boyle.
The Vipers would maintain the pressure in the second on a Westside team that seemed just a step behind after coming off a seven game series with Trail two days prior.
The Snakes would make it 2-0 on the power-play late in the second period when Dave Muench banged home a loose puck in the crease after Boyle had made the original save.
The Warriors seemed to start the third period much the same as the first two, but became a determined team after Vernon made it 3-0. Colton Sparrow rifled a shot through Kevin Boyle from the right circle 6 minutes in, but Westside would carry most of the play after that.
1:15 later Peter MacIntosh fed his defensive partner Tom Kroshus whose shot was tipped by Tyler Krause to make it 3-1.
The Warriors kept it coming just five minutes later. Travis Blanleil fed the puck the Matt Maher, off an offensive faceoff win, and Maher smoked a shot through Viper goalie Blake Voth to make it 3-2.
The Warriors kept pressing, but a late period penalty by Quinn Gould thwarted the Warriors chances of evening the game.
The Vipers finished 1-for-4 with the man advantage, while Westside went 0-for-1.
The most glaring stat of the night was Vernon outshooting Westside 39-20. Boyle definitely was the star of the night for Westside and was in fine form.
The Warriors are right back at it tomorrow in Vernon as they try to even the series before bringing it back to Westside for games 3 & 4 this Friday and Saturday.
Game Notes:
Quinn Gould played in his first game since game 2 of the opening round series versus Trail. He was out with injury.
Max French will be back in the line up for game 2 in Vernon after serving a two game suspension.
