Vernon, BC: Logan Cash had a goal and the Vernon Vipers put up 31 shots, but couldn’t find the back of the net more than once as they fell to the West Kelowna Warriors 4-1.
The Vipers jumped out on the first shift and did a nice job of getting some life and getting in on the forecheck. The Warriors got an early powerplay, but the Vipers penalty kill was up the challenge killing it off with just 1 shot against. The Vipers in turn would get a powerplay and constantly funneled pucks at the net with a number of good looks. Riley Morgan stopped all 4 shots on the Vipers put his way. The Warriors found themselves on a 4 minute double minor powerplay and executed late in the first two minutes of it as Brendan Pigeon snapped home his 5th of the season to make it 1-0. The Warriors nearly made it 2-0 but they hit a goal post and it slid along the line but stayed out.
In the second period the Vipers were forced to kill off an early penalty which they were able to do. The team would then hem the Warriors in their own zone for nearly 2 full minutes, but Riley Morgan was strong to keep the puck up. The Vipers penalty kill again had to go back to work and again were able to minimize quality scoring chances. Midway through the period a bouncing puck found Deegan Mofford and he rifled home his 8th of the season to make it 2-0. Late in the period a Jackson Caller point shot was deflected in by Logan Cash to get his team on the board and it was 2-1 after 2.
In the third the Vipers desperately pushed for the equalizer, but had trouble getting to any second and third opportunities. The team again had to kill penalty in the third and again were able to do it to remain down a goal. Jackson Caller was a post away from tying the game up as he clanked one off the iron. The Vipers then had a late powerplay and would pull the goalie to go 6 on 4. With the net empty however, the Warriors John Evans was able to hit the empty net twice to give the Warriors the 4-1 win.
The Vipers will welcome the Wenatchee Wild on Wacky Wednesday Jan. 29th at 7pm.
