Vernon, BC: Three 2nd period goals, some great goaltending and smothering defense was on display on Sunday night as the Vernon Vipers eliminated the West Kelowna Warriors from post season play with a 3-0 win in Game 6.
Thomas Tien got the scoring started early in the second period as a powerplay was expiring. Tien would get a couple of whacks at a loose puck down low before sliding it through Cayden Hamming. It was Tien’s 3rd goal of the playoffs.
A little over a minute later Julian Facchinelli released a laser beam from just outside the ringette line that beat Hamming to the blocker side.
The Vipers weren’t done as Dylan Compton funneled a puck to the net that was deflected en route that fooled Hamming making it 3-0 before the midway mark of the second.
That was all the offense Ethan David would need as he turned away the 14 shots sent his way for his second shutout of the series and 8th career clean sheet. The Vancouver product sits 2nd in playoff goals against average and 2nd in playoff save percentage and leads the playoffs in shutouts with 2.
The Vipers were extremely disciplined in Game 6 taking just one minor penalty in the 3rd period.
Vernon’s powerplay was 1 for 4.
The Vipers will now face rival Salmon Arm in the second round of the playoffs starting Friday night at the Shaw Centre.
