Vernon, BC: Owen Kim and Hank Cleaves scored twice, Isaac Tremblay had four assists and Ethan David made 38 saves as the Vipers downed the Trail Smoke Eaters 6-2 in front of over 2500 fans at Kal Tire Place on Friday.
For the first time in the series, the Vipers were able to find the back of the net in the first period. Carson McGinley scored his second of the playoffs with a nice deflection goal. Late in the period Hank Cleaves scored with just 16 seconds left to give Vernon a lead they wouldn’t give up.
Cleaves picked up right where he left off in the first snapping home his second of the game. Minutes later Isaac Tremblay set up Owen Kim for his 3rd of the post season breaking the game wide open.
Luke Bibby scored an early powerplay goal in the 3rd before Owen Kim pitched in again.
From there Ethan David would take care of business making a number of big saves en route to the victory.
Special teams when in the Vipers favour going 2 for 3 on the powerplay and killing off the only Trail powerplay.
On the Trail side, Max Potvin and Lucas Lemieux had goals. Ryan Parker had 13 saves on 17 shots before being replaced by Teagan Kendrick who stopped 20 of 22.
The Vipers will now wait to find out who they will face in the next round.
