Spruce Grove, AB: A back-and-forth battle went beyond regulation, with the Vipers falling in overtime to Spruce Grove.
The opening period was evenly played with chances at both ends. Each team had two power-play opportunities, with Vernon generating good looks and Oliver Kanat making several key saves to keep the game scoreless. The lone goal of the period came late, as Tre Peck scored his 13th of the season on the power play in the final minute, assisted by Carson Lloyd and Scott Sandilands. Spruce Grove held a slim 10–9 edge in shots after one.
Special teams helped the Vipers swing momentum in the second period, led by Deagan McMillan in his first game back of 2026. McMillan opened the scoring for Vernon with a power-play goal, his 12th of the season, finishing a setup from Dmitrii Kubantsev and Liam Magnuson.
After killing off a Saints power play, the Vipers went right back on the man advantage and struck again. McMillan scored his second of the night and 13th of the season, with assists from Kubantsev and Davids Livsics, giving Vernon a 2–1 lead. Spruce Grove outshot Vernon 18–13 in the period.
The Saints tied the game early in the third period when Brett Barnes scored his 3rd of the season on a point shot. Vernon responded with a strong penalty kill to keep the game even, while Joseph Quintilio made a series of saves to deny Vipers chances at the other end.
McMillan completed the hat trick later in the period, as Oliver Czaja set him up to restore Vernon’s lead at 3–2. The Vipers had a prime shorthanded opportunity to extend the lead, but Quintilio came up with a key stop. Moments later, Spruce Grove answered, with James Richards tying the game with just over three and a half minutes remaining in regulation.
Overtime needed just one shot to decide it. Josh Polak snapped home the winner from the right circle for his fourth of the season, sealing a 4–3 Saints victory.
Spruce Grove finished with a 34–23 advantage in shots.
Three Stars
⭐ 1st – Josh Polak (1G, 1A, GWG)
⭐ 2nd – Deagan McMillan (3G)
⭐ 3rd – Declan Waddick (2A)
The Vipers’ road trip continues Friday night as they take on the Sherwood Park Crusaders at 6:00 pm PST.
#TimeToStrike
