Wenatchee, WA, USA: Dawson Holt had a pair of goals including one late in the third period, but it wasn’t enough as the Vernon Vipers fell 5-2 to the Wenatchee Wild.
The Vipers had a couple of really good looks in the early going of the period. Logan Cash had a great chance on a 2 on 1 that was stopped by Chenard. Connor Marritt had a look of his own shortly after that, but again couldn’t solve Chenard. Brett Fudger had a pair of looks in the period as well, but the narrative in the first was the play of the Wenatchee goaltender. Wenatchee struck first as a point shot ricocheted off the crowd to Noah Lugli who popped it home to make it 1-0. The Wild then found themselves on a 5 on 3 powerplay. The Vipers killed off the first part, but Dylan Herzog struck from the right circle to give his team a 2-0 lead. The Vipers continued to push with another good look late, but went into the dressing room down 2-0.
The Wild hemmed the Vipers in their own zone for the first few minutes of the period. A fortunate break for the visitors allowed Dawson Holt to be wide open in front of the net and ripped home his 18th of the season to make it 2-1. The Vipers had a chance on the powerplay, but Sam Morton stole a puck in the Vernon zone and slid home the shorthanded marker to make it 3-1. The Vipers powerplay wasn’t able to generate a goal as the game reached the midway mark. Ethan Wolthers made it 4-1 as he sprung down the left wing and hooked a puck through Herbst as it just trickled across the line. 4-1 was the score after 2 periods.
In the third, the Vipers had a push back, but the narrative remained close but no cigar. The Vipers out shot and out chanced the Wild in the 3rd period, desperate to turn the tides. The Vipers even reunited Matt Kowalski with Connor Marritt and Dawson Holt. That decision paid dividends as Kowalski set Holt up in front of the net for his 2nd of the night to make it 4-2. The Vipers nearly made it 4-3 late, but Ben Helgeson was robbed by Daniel Chenard on a breakaway. Ethan Wolthers would hit the empty net to give the Wild the 5-3 win.
The Vipers will welcome the West Kelowna Warriors on Saturday night for Hockey Gives Blood Night!
