Penticton, BC: The Vernon Vipers wrapped up the BCHL Showcase Festival presented by Bauer with a tough 4-0 loss to the West Kelowna Warriors.
It was a slow moving first period with just 9 shots total between the two clubs. The Vipers started the game short handed following a warmup violation, but were able to kill it off surrendering just one shot. The Vipers had a good look on a powerplay of their own a few minutes later as a Ben Sanderson shot was stopped, but no Viper could find the rebound in the blue paint. West K would go back to the powerplay forcing Max Palaga to be sharp. Neither team generated too many chances in the period as it ended scoreless.
A carryover powerplay for the Vipers didn’t net them much. Teams traded special teams opportunities for most of the period as the game was called very tight with obstruction being the major focus. The Warriors broke the deadlock as Austin Chorney tipped in a centering pass from Brendan Pigeon to make it 1-0. The Warriors responded a few minutes later while on the powerplay as Lucas Cullen took a point shot up high and it trickled past Palaga to make it 2-0. Late in the period a Chorney shot knuckled on Palaga to make it 3-0 after 2 periods.
In the third the Vipers put more of an emphasis on shots at Johnny Derrick, but had trouble netting any 2nd or 3rd opportunities. Ryan Novecosky increased the West Kelowna lead midway through the 3rd to make it 4-0. Thats the way this one would finish following the final buzzer.
The Vipers hit the road Wednesday as they travel to take on the Chilliwack Chiefs at 7pm.
