West Kelowna, BC: The Vipers showed resilience in a wild Friday night battle, erasing a two-goal third-period deficit and scoring four unanswered to stun West Kelowna 6–4.
First Period
It was a strong, back-and-forth opening frame.
Vernon struck on its first shot of the game as Sebastian Bradshaw beat Bor Glavic for his sixth of the season. Toms Trockis and Thomas Duhamel picked up the assists.
The Vipers nearly doubled the lead moments later, but Glavic robbed Davids Livsics on a loose puck at the top of the crease. West Kelowna answered off a Blake Burke rebound to tie the game, and late in the period Burke struck again on a 2-on-1 to give the Warriors the lead after 20 minutes.
Vernon came within inches of equalizing when a shot beat Glavic but rang off the post and stayed out.
Shots favoured West Kelowna 15–5. Both teams were 0-for-1 on the power play.
Second Period
The Vipers responded with an impressive middle frame and were rewarded for it.
Garin Ludwig tied the game with a terrific individual effort, going unassisted for his second as a Viper and third of the season.
Vernon killed off two key penalties and generated several Grade-A chances, but Glavic held firm. At the other end, Lane Maarhuis came up with a pair of key saves to keep the game level.
Shots in the period were 12–4 Vernon.
Third Period
The Warriors regained momentum early as Alexandre Lallier converted on a rebound in the opening minute. A West Kelowna power-play goal extended the lead to 4–2.
But the Vipers weren’t done.
Captain Deagan McMillan took over. First, he danced around a defender and fired a shot under the bar to cut the deficit to one. Two minutes later, Evan Sundar found him again, and McMillan showcased his skill once more, walking around another defender before snapping home the equalizer.
Moments later, adversity struck again as Natan Ethier was awarded a penalty shot — but Lane Maarhuis made a clutch stop to keep it tied 4–4.
That save proved pivotal.
Just a minute later, Brayden Pankey redirected a Connor Dick shot from the left circle to give Vernon its first lead since the opening period. Christian Maro sealed the comeback with an empty-net goal from Sundar.
Final shots were 37–25 West Kelowna.
Special Teams
-
Power Play: 0-for-1
-
Penalty Kill: 4-for-5
Game Stars
-
Deagan McMillan
-
Evan Sundar
-
Blake Burke
The Vipers return home looking to sweep the weekend as they host the Salmon Arm Silverbacks at Kal Tire Place.
