The Vipers put up another strong defensive showing, as they topped Westside 4-1 in Vernon on Friday night.
Shots counted 32-21 in favour of the Vipers on the night, including 11-2 in the opening period.
Scoreless after 20 minutes, Mike Zalewski drew first blood for the hosts when he fired a wrister from the right face-off dot past Dwayne Rodrigue and into the top corner of the net.
Colton Cyr would add consecutive goals early in the third before Seb Lloyd got Westside on the board with seven minutes remaining on a Westside 5-on-3.
In the final 30 seconds, Mike Zalewski scored an unassisted breakaway to clinch the 4-1 Vipers victory.
“Right from the start … we let them dictate the play” says Westside defenceman Curtis Toneff of the game.
Toneff pointed to an early shot-total of 9-1 Vernon as evidence of a Vipers team that carried the play from the outset.
As for a Warriors offence that struggled on the night, Toneff suggests his team didn’t manage the puck well, and didn’t take enough shots.
The Warriors now have the rest of the weekend off, though the team will be on hand at Shannon Lake for a West Kelowna Kraft Hockeyville outdoor skate at Shannon Lake on Saturday from 11-2.
Visit The General’s Report for continuing coverage of the Westside Warriors.
Team Sites
Follow the BCHL
