Vernon, BC: Landon Fuller had 2 goals and an assist and the Vipers peppered the Express for 53 shots, but they would fall a goal short as Coquitlam defeats the Vipers 5-4.
The Vipers were forced into a penalty kill situation early on but were up to the challenge to kill it off in the opening few minutes. The Vipers had a powerplay of their own as Landon Fuller was able to get a poke at a loose puck to make it 1-0 midway through. There were plenty of chances through the last half of the period as the Vipers threw everything except the kitchen sink at Clay Stevenson. The Express goaltender was up to the task stopping 14 shots in the period. That was crucial for the visitors as Christian MacDougall tapped in a powerplay goal with just 3 seconds remaining in the period making it 1-1 after 1.
In the second the Express exploded for two quick goals as Cooper Connell finished off a breakaway, then Greg Lapointe snapped home a goal less than 2 minutes apart to give Coquitlam a 3-1 lead. Jason McKee would take his timeout. This sparked the Vipers who poured on the offense. Pucks were funneled towards the goal with plenty of grade A opportunities but the hockey gods weren’t shining. JoJo Tanaka-Campbell drew the game within one after a phenomenal individual effort and tucked in a puck through the five hole of Stevenson to make it 3-2. The Vipers caused a few more turnovers including a crucial one in the final minute as Dawson Holt tied the game up at 3 after 2 periods. The Vipers pushed 19 shots on the Coquitlam goal in the period.
In the third, both teams had opportunities to take the lead, Cam MacDonald couldn’t convert on a goal mouth scramble, then Tyler Schleppe hit a goal post keeping it 3-3. The Express would take the lead with just 6 minutes left deflecting in an Adam Trotman shot from the left wall making it 4-3. The Vipers rallied quickly as Landon Fuller sniped a shot from the right wall through traffic making it 4-4. In the final two minutes, Ethan O’Rourke deflected home a hard pass from the left wall to make it 5-4. The Vipers pushed for the qualizer, but couldn’t get it as they fell 5-4.
The Vipers will be in action tomorrow afternoon at 2pm when the Wenatchee Wild come to town.
