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After the Buzzer – Vipers Downed In Extra Time

West Kelowna, BC:  For the second straight game the Vipers had a 3-1 lead after 1 period. and for the second straight game the Warriors tied it in the 2nd period.  Also for the 2nd straight game the game needed OT, but again it was the Warriors for the second straight night taking the extra point 4-3 in overtime.

The Vipers buzzed in the opening period more than doubling the Warriors in shots.  The offence jumped on the Warriors early as Will Arquiett scored early to give his team a lead.  Matthew Stienburg responded for the Warriors less than a minute later.  Just a minute after that Max Bulawka returned the Vipers to a lead on a partial breakaway making it 2-1.  Reagan Milburn at the eight minute mark scored his first goal of the Okanagan Cup to make it 3-1 before the media timeout.  The Vipers had more great opportunities but Cole Schwebius kept his team in it.

As good as the Vipers were in the first period, the Warriors were as good in the second.  The Vipers weathered an early storm but it was a sequence right after a powerplay as John Evans snapped home a goal to make it 3-2.  Things got a little heated as Hunter Donohoe and Matthew Stienburg threw down in a spirited tilt.  The game would then see misconducts aplenty as Will Arquiett, Kjell Kjemhus and Jeremy Rainville were given 10 minutes off while Carter Schmidt and Kyle Pow would get some of their own.  Elan Barlevwise stuck with a net front scramble to tie the game up on a powerplay.  The Vipers had a great look on a 5 on 3 but Schwebius made a phenomenal save to keep the game tied after 2.

In the third it was more methodical and a more focused on the end result.  The Vipers had the edge in shots, but for third consecutive game the Vipers would head to overtime.

It was over in a blink as John Evans snapped home his 2nd of the night on a one on one rush to make it 4-3.

The Vipers have the Silverbacks on deck next weekend starting Friday night in Salmon Arm.  Puck drop is 6:30