This time there would be no comeback.
The Vernon Vipers built up a 4-0 lead and withstood a mini Warriors comeback, to win 6-2 before the 1,432 fans, the largest crowd this season at Royal LePage Place.
Liam Coughlin led the way for the visitors with two goals and an assist while Dexter Dancs had a goal and two assists. Michael McNicholas chipped in with three helpers.
Tyson Dallman scored both goals for the Warriors.
The Vipers led 2-0 after one and 3-0 after 40 minutes. The back breaker came two minutes into the third when Coughlin scored his second of the night with a quick one-timer just inside the far post from the left faceoff circle.
The Warriors had numerous chances before that to get themselves back in the game but were either denied by the spectacular netminding of Austin Smith or were unable to find loose pucks in ideal scoring avenues.
"We've scored three goals in more than two games here. We're going to have to score more than that obviously to have some success," says Warriors head coach Rylan Ferster who admitted his team wasn't good enough Saturday.
"At this time of year you just want to be playing better. I don't know if I have all the answers. We're disappointed but we'll give Vernon credit."
While the power-play wasn't very good again Saturday, Ferster says the Warriors had some momentum when Dallman's back-to-back goals cut the deficit to 4-2 – momentum that was cut short when the Vipers were only assessed a minor penalty for boarding on what he thought was a dangerous hit-from-behind on Jordan Masters.
The teams ended up each taking a minor penalty, killing any emotional momentum the hosts may have had.
Ferster says the difference in the game came down to the Vipers being able to bury their chances while the Warriors were unable to do so.
As for the team's inability to get the first goal and get off to good starts of late, Ferster says he is definitely concerned.
"You can't chase the game the whole night…certainly against top teams," says Ferster.
"You keep spotting these guys two, three goals and think you are going to chase them all night and come back in the third period, you're living a pipe dream. We have to get out and find ways to get some goals."
That includes the power-play which was held off the scoresheet on six opportunities.
The good news for the Warriors, they stay two points behind Interior Division leading Penticton after the Vees dropped both halves of a home-and-home with Salmon Arm, falling 4-1 in Salmon Arm Saturday.
The Warriors remain two points behind the Vees with a game in hand.
Vernon crept within three of the Warriors while fourth-place Salmon Arm is six back.
The Warriors, who had registered points in 13 straight until Saturday, play in Salmon Arm Tuesday in the first of three straight on the road. The Silverbacks have now won five in a row.
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