Penticton, BC: It was all you could ask for between long time division rivals in a one game takes all scenario. Back and forth play, some timely scoring and even a little overtime. In the end, the Vipers fell a goal short in over time by a 3-2 score in the Okanagan Cup Finals.
You wouldn’t know it was an exhibition game with the way these two started off. Not a lot of mistakes but a lot of pace. Koen MacInnes made some early saves and the Vipers PK continued its great play killing off 3 penalties. Ryan Shostak opened the scoring with his 2nd goal of the tournament to make it 1-0 converting on his own rebound. Four minutes later Tristan Amonte responded to even it up after 1 period.
It was a chess match of a second period that didn’t see a lot of opportunities. Both teams really seemed to know what was at stake and were careful not to make any mistakes.
In the third Matteo Constantini gave Penticton their first lead. From there the Vipers battled through a tough defensive structure and solid Vees forecheck. The Vipers did a nice job of keeping it safe before capitalizing on a chance late in the game. Will Arquiett jumped on a loose puck from the corner and scored a beautiful backhanded shot over the shoulder of Yaniv Perets to make it 2-2.
In overtime, the Vipers had a look at one end that didn’t go, before Jacob Quillan snapped home the game winner.
Without question it showed the rivalry is as entertaining as you’d hope it would be and is alive and well as both teams now wait in anticipation of the start of the regular season.
Photo Credit – Cherie Morgan Photography
