The Westside Warriors got two things they haven't received a lot of this season on Saturday — timely goals and timely saves.
Reid Simmonds scored twice including the game winner with less than four minutes left in regulation time as the Warriors tripped-up the visiting Vernon Vipers 3-1 in one of the better games you'll see at any level at any time.
Dwayne Rodrigue preserved the victory turning aside 41 shots including 24 during a fast and frantic third period.
Simmonds sealed the win with his ninth of the season into an empty net.
While the win was huge for the Warriors who are trying to chase down the fifth place Vipers, not allowing the Vipers to get a single point in overtime was just as big.
"It is. I think at that point maybe you're just looking to get into overtime and hoping you get a single point and grease out the second one," says Warriors coach, Rylan Ferster.
"To really be able to steal both points like that is huge for us. Hopefully now we can have a good effort tomorrow night (Sunday in Chilliwack).
The Vipers opened the scoring midway through the opening period when Marc Hetnik beat Rodrigue. It would be the last time they would be able to solve the 20-year-old Quebec City native.
The Warriors finally solved an equally sharp Kirby Halcrow late in the second when David Pope banged home a rebound at 18:12 of the second on a Warriors power-play.
It remained tied, despite several great chances by both teams, until Simmonds played hero late in the third.
"I was in front of the net and I knew there was a shot coming through," says Simmonds of the game winner.
"It was just a lucky bounce that ended up on my stick and I tossed it at the net and it turned out good for me."
Following Simmonds goal, Colton Cyr had three glorious chances to tie the game. He hit the post on one and was stopped by the pad of Rodrigue on the other.
Adam Tambellini also had had a chance to give Vernon the lead earlier in the period on a power-play.
The puck came to him at the top edge of the crease, however, Rodrigue was somehow able to get his stick back in time to stop the puck from crossing the goal line.
"Dwayne has been playing unreal for us the last couple of games. I think he had 55 saves against Penticton," added Simmonds.
"He's probably been our best player the second half of the season for sure."
Rodrigue was at his very best when the Warriors found themselves down a man.
He made several game-saving stops, and held the Vipers off the scoresheet on all seven power-play chances.
The Warriors now trail Vernon by five points in the Interior Conference. Chilliwack is 10 up while Prince George is 11 ahead.
They still have one game remaining with Prince George, three with Vernon and six against the Chilliwack Chiefs, beginning with a key home-and-home set starting Sunday in Chilliwack.
"It's a team we're chasing. We just have to go in there tomorrow (Sunday) and worry about the first period and just go from there," added Ferster.
"They're a very good team that works hard. The way we worked tonight, if we can work that hard it should be a fun game to watch."
The two teams hook up again Wednesday night at Royal LePage Place.
The Warriors have just 18 games remaining in the regular season, nine at home and nine on the road.
Visit The General’s Report all season long for in-depth coverage and analysis of the Westside Warriors.
