Trail, BC: Landon Fuller had a goal and a spirited scrap as the Vernon Vipers dropped a 5-1 decision on the road in Trail on Friday night.
The Vipers had a good start to the game, but couldn’t get any traction. Ben Helgeson set himself up for two great looks, but was robbed on the first then missed net on the second. The Smokies would take the lead a few minutes later as Kent Johnson went top shelf from in tight on Keegan Karki to make it 1-0. The Vipers 2nd powerplay of the game netted them their first goal as Landon Fuller deflected home a shot from Christian Felton for his 9th of the season. The tie was short lived as Michael Collela pounced on a puck at the side of the net after it hit a couple of legs making it 2-1 Trail 26 seconds later. That was the way the first period would end.
The Vipers continued to get looks, but had trouble testing Terness. Matt Kowalski had a good look, but the puck appeared to go up on end and he ripped it up high. The Vipers had some chances on the powerplay but the powerplay had trouble getting traction. The Smokies jumped on a very fortunate Cominco bounce as a puck was cleared up the glass, but hit something and bounced right to the right side where the Smokies set up Kent Johnson on the back door to make it 3-1. Dawson Holt nearly got the game within 1, but missed the net up high on another Cominco bounce that went to the front of the net.
In the third it was a tight defensive chess match. The Vipers had good jump, but couldn’t solve Terness. Landon Fuller would find himself in a spirited scrap with Powell Connor as both guys landed some good shots. The Smokies would add 2 more after that as Philippe Lapointe and Carson Briere finished off a couple of odd man rushes midway through the period to make the final score 5-1.
The Vipers are back in action Sunday afternoon at 2pm when the Salmon Arm Silverbacks come to town.
