West Kelowna, BC: Ben Helgeson scored a hat trick, but the Vernon Vipers fell a goal short in the shootout as they fell 6-5 to the Warriors in the regular season finale.
The Vipers found themselves down early as Ryan Upson centered a puck to Levi Stauber in front and he snapped it by Keegan Karki just 89 seconds into the hockey game to make it 1-0. The Vipers had a nice response as Ben Helgeson made a great individual effort to glove a puck down to himself at full speed, split the D and beat Riley Morgan five-hole to tie the game up at the 3 minute mark. From there the Vipers took the period over outshooting the Warriors 20-6 in the opening period. Riley Morgan was strong in the Warrior goal crease stopping the remainder and getting some fortunate shot blocks from his defense corp to keep it 1-1 after 1.
In the second period the Vipers pressure continued thanks to a couple of powerplays. They Vipers couldn’t capitalize on the chances. The Warriors took the lead midway through the 2nd period as Colby Elmer converted on a breakaway to make it 2-1. Late in the period, Ben Helgeson came out of the penalty box and Landon Fuller sprung him on a breakaway and he put it fivehole on Morgan to tie it at 2. In the final minute Elan Barlevwise scored his 2nd goal of the weekend to give West K a 3-2 lead after 2 periods.
The Vipers evened the game up midway through the third, 2 seconds after a powerplay expired as Ben Helgeson rifled a one timer past Morgan to make it 3-3. Colby Elmer retook the lead for his team a minute later on a wrap around to make it 4-3. Just over a minute after that, Logan Cash outworked a pair of Warriors to center a puck for Matt Kowalski who evened the game up again at 4. Three minutes later on a powerplay Dawson Holt scored to give the Vipers their first lead. Late in regulation the Warriors pounced on a turnover and Deegan Mofford tied the game up at 5.
The Vipers had to kill of a power play in overtime and were able to do so without surrendering a shot. The rest of OT was essentially played 4 on 4 without any whistles.
In the shootout neither team scored in the first round of shots. Carter Wilkie scored first for West Kelowna before Connor Marritt responded for the Vipers. The next two rounds wouldn’t see a goal until Ryan Upson converted to give the Warriors the lead. Max Bulawka had to score to extend, but was poke checked by Morgan as the Warriors took the game 6-5 in the shootout.
The Vipers will now wait and see the result of Salmon Arm and Merritt this afternoon as the game will determine who the Vipers face in the first round of the playoffs.
Photo Credit – Tami Quan Photography
