Salmon Arm, BC: The Vipers earned a hard-fought extra point Friday night at Rogers Rink, battling through a physical, high-energy game before Dmitrii Kubantsev sealed a 3–2 overtime victory over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
First Period
It was clear early that both teams understood the stakes, with energy and physical play setting the tone from the opening faceoff.
Vernon opened the scoring thanks to a highlight-reel finish from Dario Lass, who notched his first BCHL goal with help from Anthony Nolan.
The Vipers followed that up with a successful penalty kill, but shortly after the media timeout Salmon Arm answered. Koen Senft snapped a shot home from the left circle for his seventh of the season, with assists going to Aidan Shirey and Brady Craik.
Lane Maarhuis was busy in the Vipers’ crease, stopping 14 of 15 shots in the period.
Second Period
The Silverbacks opened the frame on the power play and, despite not scoring, kept Vernon pinned in its own zone for much of the early part of the period.
Maarhuis was outstanding, highlighted by a spectacular stop on Salmon Arm sniper Landon Mackie during a partial breakaway.
Salmon Arm eventually broke through as Luke Lepper wired a seeing-eye point shot through traffic for his ninth of the season, assisted by Mateu Spath and Koen Senft.
Vernon pushed back shortly after, stringing together several strong offensive-zone shifts. The pressure paid off when Garin Ludwig fired a shot from the point that Oliver Czaja redirected past Daniel Dirracolo to tie the game 2–2. Ludwig and Shawn Leary earned the assists.
Shots through two periods favoured Salmon Arm 27–15.
Third Period
The pace slowed in the final frame as both teams tightened defensively. Vernon held the edge in quality scoring chances and relied on strong defensive structure.
The Vipers’ penalty kill came up clutch with two key kills, including one with just over two minutes remaining in regulation, sending the game to overtime.
Overtime
The extra frame featured end-to-end action that thrilled the Rogers Rink crowd.
Maarhuis made a highlight-reel right pad save to keep the game alive, moments before Dirracolo answered with a big stop on Oscar Bjork.
At the four-minute mark, Kubantsev ended it. The Vipers forward ripped a shot through Dirracolo for his 14th of the season, giving Vernon the overtime win and the extra point.
Final Shots
Salmon Arm 40 – Vernon 24
Game Stars
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Dmitrii Kubantsev (1G – GWG)
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Lane Maarhuis (38 saves on 40 shots)
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Daniel Dirracolo (21 saves on 24 shots)
FortisBC Energy Player of the Game: Jack Toogood
With the win, the Vipers keep pace with the Cranbrook Bucks, who were victorious in Spruce Grove, while also closing the gap on the Silverbacks.
The two teams will meet again Saturday night at Kal Tire Place, with puck drop set for 6:00 PM.
#TimeToStrike
