Wenatchee, WA, USA: The Vernon Vipers put up 8 goals to punch their ticket to the second round of the BCHL Playoffs as they downed the Wild 8-3.
The Vipers jumped out to an early lead just 23 seconds into the period as Logan Cash intercepted a puck and snapped a shot five hole on Daniel Chenard to make it 1-0. The Vipers added to their lead a few minutes later as Cam MacDonald won a battle down low, centered in front and Hunter Donohoe’s point shot was able to get through traffic to make it 2-0 on Donohoe’s first of the playoffs. The Vipers had a great look on a powerplay where they dominated for the full 2 minutes, but hit a goal post and narrowly missed to keep it 2-0. Their second powerplay however lasted just 5 seconds as Cam MacDonald powered a one timer home for his 4th in as many period to make it 3-0. Nick Cafarelli made it 3-1 with a great individual effort at 16 minutes. The Wild then got a powerplay and it was Reilly Herbsts time to shine as he stopped all 6 shots he faced as the period would finish 3-1 Vernon.
The Wild made it 3-2 early in the period after Ryan Shostak was downed at the blue line. Play continued and Matt Dorsey snapped home his first of the playoffs. The Vipers rebounded nicely with a powerplay, but couldn’t increase their lead. They came within a hair of making it 4-2 with a puck that rolled through Altman but died on the line. The Vipers found their legs midway through the period and finally were able to get their lead back to two as a point shot from Nick Kent was blocked, but Colby Feist jumped on a rebound in front for his first of the playoffs to make it 4-2. From there the Vipers continued to get chances, but the period expired with a 4-2 lead after 2.
The Vipers jumped on the offense early in the third as a Nick Kent point shot was deflected by Connor Marritt in front of the net to make it 5-2. Trey Taylor finished off a nice passing play to make it 6-2. The Wild would put Daniel Chenard back in goal following that goal. Brett Chorske scored his first goal of the playoffs on a shot from the left wall. With 3 minutes left the Wild would pull the goalie in an effort to get the game closer. Cam MacDonald hit the empty net to make it 7-3. The Vipers had a powerplay late in the period and Hunter Donohoe was able to walk in from the left circle and snapped home his 2nd of the game to make it 8-3.
The Vipers will now wait to learn their schedule, but know they will start on the road against the Penticton Vees.
