Vernon, BC: The Vipers had two shorthanded goals, but their comeback was a bit short as they fell to the West Kelowna Warriors by a 6-4 score.
The Vipers jumped out to an early lead and did so while shorthanded as Connor Sleeth sprung Ben Helgeson away on a breakaway and he was able to deke out Johnny Derrick for his 10th goal of the season to make it 1-0. The Warriors responded on a bit of a fortunate bounce a puck floated from behind the net and onto the tape of Ryan Upson to make it 1-1. The Vipers had a fortunate bounce of their own minutes later as a pass from Matt Kowalski hit a skate and went to Ryan Shostak who was able to wire home his 8th of the season to make it 2-1 after 1 period.
The Vipers had a ton of opportunities in the period putting 14 shots at the Warriors net, but Johnny Derrick was stellar turning them aside. Reilly Herbst wasn’t to be outdone making the save of the period with his team shorthanded. The Warriors evened the game up late in the period as John Evans was set up in front of the net to make it 2-2. While on a powerplay Evans would strike again as a shot was blocked but rolled right to him at the side of the net to make it 3-2 in the final minute.
The Vipers evened the game up early in the period as Max Bulawka jumped on a loose puck to make it 3-3 in the first minute. The Vipers were then forced into a shorthanded situation for 4 minutes and killed it off to keep the game tied. The Warriors regained their lead as Levi Stauber snapped home his 10th of the season to make it 4-2 with 7 minutes left. Elan Barlevwise increased the Warrior lead with his 4th of the season 3 minutes later to make it 5-3. With the goalie pulled and shorthanded the Vipers made it a 1 goal game as Dawson Holt scored his 22nd of the season with just over 2 minutes left. The Vipers would get the goalie pulled, but couldn’t execute as John Evans hit the empty net to seal it 6-4.
The Vipers will look to finish the regular season on the right note as they travel to West Kelowna on Saturday.
