Cranbrook, BC: The Vipers generated chances throughout the night but ran into a hot goaltender and some tough puck luck as the Cranbrook Bucks skated to a 4–0 victory in the opening game of the weekend series.
First Period
Cranbrook came out strong and had the Vipers on their heels early, hitting the goal post before eventually opening the scoring. Shane Tronoski pounced on a rebound for his fourth of the season, assisted by Grant Denuccio and Nathan Simm.
Vernon responded well with several quality looks. Sebastian Bradshaw and Thomas Duhamel were both turned aside by Jason Tremblay, while Toms Trockis rang a shot off the post.
The Vipers had a good opportunity on the power play but couldn’t convert. At the other end, Lane Maarhuis came up big, robbing Mitch Patrick on a breakaway. Patrick would eventually find the back of the net a few minutes later, wiring a power-play one-timer from the left circle for his 11th of the season with assists from Denuccio and Carter Pisani.
Shots favoured Cranbrook 14–7 after one.
Second Period
Vernon began the period on the power play, but while it didn’t result in a goal, Cranbrook used the momentum shortly after to extend its lead. Adam Csabi set up Konstantin Hutzinger, who scored his 10th of the season early in the frame.
The Vipers continued to generate opportunities, with Duhamel getting two excellent chances, but Tremblay remained solid in the Cranbrook crease.
Cranbrook had its share of puck luck as well, hitting three separate goal posts in the period. Vernon held a 14–12 edge in shots during the middle frame.
Third Period
Holding a multi-goal lead, the Bucks focused on structured defense and limited Vernon’s ability to generate sustained pressure.
Liam Magnuson had the best opportunity for the Vipers to break through, but Tremblay once again shut the door.
Csabi hit another post earlier in the period before eventually sealing the game with an empty-net goal late.
Final Shots
Vernon 35 – Cranbrook 29
Special Teams
-
Power Play: 0-for-2
-
Penalty Kill: 0-for-1
Game Stars
-
Jason Tremblay (29 saves, shutout)
-
Mitch Patrick (1G, 1A)
-
Grant Denuccio (2A)
FortisBC Energy Player of the Game: Nathan Simm
The Vipers now find themselves in near must-win territory as they return to Western Financial Place tomorrow night for the second game of the weekend series in Cranbrook.
