Vernon, BC: Luke Pakulak had 2 goals and 2 assists, while Roan Clarke made 20 saves as the Vernon Vipers took down the Trail Smoke Eaters by a 6-1 score.
Pakulak, the Bentley commit, scored his 10th powerplay goal of the season to give the Vipers a 2-1 lead. It would stand up as the eventual game winner. He has 5 goals in his last four games and 8 points in that window. He deflected home an Anthony Cliche point shot for his second of the game and 16th of the season.
Hank Cleaves tallied a powerplay goal to tie up the game shortly after Trail took the lead in the first period.
Reagan Milburn, Isaac Tremblay and Griffen Barr pitched in with singles. Milburn’s came off a nice bit of hand eye, knocking a puck out of mid air at the side of the net.
Roan Clarke only faced 10 shots in the first 40 minutes, but stood tall in the third period making a couple of big saves.
For the 3rd straight game, the Vipers special teams were strong. They’d finish the night 2 for 3 on the powerplay and killed off both Trail man advantages.
Josh Schenk had the lone goal for Trail, his 14th of the season.
Teagan Kendrick was busy in the Trail goal crease. He finished with 29 saves on 35 shots.
The rematch between these two teams will go Saturday night at 6pm.
