Vernon, BC: In a game that had just about everything, the Vernon Vipers stormed back from a three-goal third-period deficit and capped an unforgettable night with an 8–7 overtime victory over the Nanaimo Clippers.
First Period
It was a frenetic start — and that pace carried through the entire opening frame.
Just 16 seconds in, Garin Ludwig fired a shot through traffic for his first goal as a Viper — fittingly against his former team. Deagan McMillan and Oliver Czaja picked up the assists.
The lead lasted only 30 seconds as Hayden Fechner answered with his 23rd of the season on a breakaway.
Vernon regained the lead just past the eight-minute mark when Evan Sundar finished a setup from Shawn Leary — earning his first point as a Viper — along with Toms Trockis.
Less than two minutes later, Aaron Zulinick scored his first BCHL goal from Thomas Duhamel and Dmitrii Kubantsev to make it 3–1.
Nanaimo responded with Tanner Bruender’s 19th of the season from Landon Pappas. Vernon’s penalty kill was sharp, shutting down both Nanaimo power plays in the period.
Shots favoured Nanaimo 15–10.
Second Period
Penalty trouble turned the game.
Paddy Fortune struck early on the power play, and shortly after, Jack Rimmer scored on a 5-on-3 advantage to give Nanaimo the lead. Harrison Boldt extended it at even strength.
Vernon had a critical opportunity on extended 4-on-3 and 5-on-3 power plays but couldn’t beat Eliot Seguin-Lescarbeau — a turning point in the period. Rimmer added his second of the night to make it 6–3.
Lane Maarhuis finished his night with 23 saves on 29 shots before Oliver Kanat took over in relief. Nanaimo outshot Vernon 36–18 through two periods.
Third Period
The Vipers began their climb.
While killing penalties, Dario Lass generated Vernon’s best early chance, breaking in alone, but Seguin-Lescarbeau made a highlight-reel save.
On the power play, Deagan McMillan scored from Davids Livsics and Kubantsev to make it 6–4. After another successful penalty kill, Kubantsev struck on the man advantage — assisted by Livsics and Magnuson — cutting it to 6–5.
Owen Davies briefly restored Nanaimo’s two-goal cushion with a point shot, but the Vipers refused to go away.
With the goalie pulled and on a 5-on-3 power play, Kubantsev scored again to make it 7–6. The power play continued, and with just 1:16 remaining, Livsics tied the game to force overtime.
Overtime
Midway through the extra frame, a stretch pass sprung McMillan in alone. A slick deke later, the comeback was complete.
Vipers 8, Clippers 7.
Final Shots
Nanaimo 51 – Vernon 35
Game Stars
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Deagan McMillan (2G, 3A, GWG)
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Dmitrii Kubantsev (2G, 3A)
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Jack Rimmer (2G, 2A)
FortisBC Player of the Game: Davids Livsics
Honourable Mention: Oliver Kanat — 21 saves on 22 shots in relief to earn the win.
The Vipers wrap up their homestand on Friday, February 20th when they host the Blackfalds Bulldogs.
