Vernon, BC: The Vipers had 5 different goal scorers and Ethan David made 33 saves on 35 shots as the Vernon Vipers bumped a modest 2-game slide with a 5-2 win over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in front of 3156 fans at Kal Tire Place.
“The boys prepared well for the game and certainly did enough to win,” says Assistant Coach of the Vipers Colton Sparrow. “It was an amazing crowd and a very important two points.”
Payton Struck gave the large crowd something to cheer about early after being set up by Patrik Kral. It was Struck’s 3rd goal of the season.
Noah Dorey added the lead 61 seconds into the second period as he snapped a wrist shot five-hole on Pulver. It was his second goal of the season to give the Vipers a 2-goal lead.
That goal was important because Salmon Arm responded a few minutes later.
Adam Csabi scored his first goal in 11 games and 14th of the season, which stood up as the game winner. It came off a great pass from Etienne Lessard as Csabi finished with a nice deke in tight to make it 3-1 early in the 3rd. George Stavrianeas added to the lead a few minutes later making it 4-1 after he made the water bottle explode.
Julian Facchinelli capped the offense by hitting the empty net for his second goal in as many games.
Ethan David was very good in the Vipers goal with 33 saves on 35 shots including 9 of 10 in the 3rd when the Backs were pushing.
Marcus Broberg and JJ Monteiro scored for Salmon Arm.
Eli Pulver had 30 saves on 34 shots in the loss.
The Vipers will hit the road for 3 straight starting on Friday night in Victoria when they take on the Grizzlies.
