Vernon, BC: Ben Helgeson and Dawson Holt each had goals in the first and third period, but the Silverbacks would down the Vipers 5-2 in the first game back from the Christmas break.
The Silverbacks jumped on the Vipers early as Lucas Breault scored his 5th goal of the season just 23 seconds into the hockey game. The Vipers responded nicely with some good puck possession which led to some chances at the Silverbacks goal. Ben Helgeson tied the game up nearing the 8 minute mark as his shot from the left circle glanced off a Salmon Arm stick and by Ethan Langenegger to make it 1-1. Both teams would traded chances the rest of the way, but the scored remained even after 1.
In the second, again the Vipers had some looks specifically while on a powerplay. Unfortunately for the home team, Langenegger and the Salmon Arm penalty kill were able to kill them off. Noah Wakeford struck next while his team was up a man as he walked out from below the red line and roofed one on Reilly Herbst. Daniel Rybarik would increase his teams lead to 3-1 at the 14 minute mark. That score held up through the rest of the period.
In the third, the Vipers cut the deficit early as Dawson Holt was set up from behind the net making it 3-2 on Holt’s 13th of the season. That was as close the Vipers would get as Lucas Breault would net a powerplay goal minutes later making it 4-2. Coalson Wolford added another making it 5-2 before things got a little chippy. Cooler heads prevailed, but the Vipers couldn’t find any more offense as they fall 5-2.
The Vipers will hit the road tomorrow afternoon for the return matchup at the Shaw Centre for a 3pm puck drop.
