|
|
VERNON ? Friday night?s game between the Vipers and Westside Warriors at Wesbild Centre was a tale of two teams going in very different directions. The Vipers put the squeeze on a sliding Warriors squad, coming away with a 2-1 victory in front of 2,064 fans. Just like the volatile capital markets around the world, a week can make a huge difference in junior hockey. Last Friday, the Warriors were tied for second in the Interior Conference with Vernon. While the Snakes held onto third place after winning two straight, the Warriors slid to fifth. Jordan Gagne got the Warriors on the board at 3:20 of the first and the visitors held the lead until nearly the end of the second frame. With only 23 seconds left, though, Adam Thompson of the Vipers tied it up with his fourth goal of the season. A fight between Vernon?s Kyle Bigos and Ron Kelly gave Westside a four-minute power play early in the third, but the Warriors were unable to capitalize. You could sense the momentum swinging to the home side, and the Vipers took advantage. With the majority of the play in Westside?s end for much of the third, Vernon forward Ryan Santana scored the game winner from his back on a power play late in the game to give the Snakes two points in the close-checking contest. Assists came from former Warrior Bryce Kakoske and Kellen Jones. Westside goalie Kevin Jebson and his Vernon counterpart, Andrew Hammond, both turned aside some quality chances from the evenly-matched teams, but the difference was special teams. Westside went 0-for-7 with the extra man advantage, while the Vipers were 1-for-5. Shots on goal were 30-26 in favour of the Vipers. Vernon hosts Merritt tonight, while the Warriors are off until the Prince George Spruce Kings come to Royal LePage Place this Thursday. Both contests are at 7 p.m.
