Vernon, BC: Ryan Shostak scored his first BCHL goal and Ben Helgeson tallied a powerplay marker, in a 7-2 loss to the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Saturday.
The Capitals jumped out to a 4-0 shot advantage early on, but Max Palaga was strong turning them all aside. The first powerplay of the game went to the Vipers and they came within a millimetre of getting on the board, but MacDonald clanked a puck off the goal post. The second opportunity had some good looks, but the Capitals penalty kill blocked a couple of chances to keep the Vipers without a goal. Shortly after a Vipers powerplay expired, the Capitals pushed up the ice and Dan McIntyre centered a puck for Andy Bridgewater who slid a puck under Palaga to make it 1-0. The Caps had a chance on the powerplay late in a period, but the Vipers were able to kill it. Moments after it expired Dimitri Mikrogiannakis spun a puck at the net that went post and in to make it 2-0 after 1 period.
The second period started while up a man, but it was short lived as a Viper penalty turned it 4 on 4. It took the Snakes 6 minutes to register a shot despite putting a lot of pucks toward the goal that didn’t get through. The Vipers had a glorious chance to get on the board as Jack Glen re-directed a point shot off the outside of the post and it rolled wide. On the ensuing rush up the ice, Tyrell Boucher’s point shot hit a defender in front and found its way through to make it 3-0. Less than a minute later while on a powerplay Matthew Crasa ripped a shot home from the slot to make it 4-0. Crasa would add another one before the period ended making it 5-0 for the visitors after 2 periods.
Kobe Grant would replace Palaga to start the frame and the Vernon product was forced to make a couple of saves early on. The Vipers powerplay got them a goal as Ben Helgeson deflected a Landon Fuller point shot to make it 5-1. The Caps responded a few minutes later as Luc Wilson snapped a shot off the post and in following a faceoff win. Ryan Shostak was set up for his first BCHL goal midway through the period after a great pass from Brendan Kim to make it 6-2. Less than a minute later Cruz Cote poked in a loose puck after a mad scramble in front of the Vipers goal to make it 7-2. That would be the way this one finished.
The Vipers will head to the BCHL Showcase Festival presented by Bauer on Friday when they take on the Penticton Vees at 7pm
