Vernon, BC: Luke Bibby, Julian Facchinelli and Luke Pakulak had goals to paced the Vipers to a lead that the Alberni Valley Bulldogs couldn’t fully erase as Vernon won their second game of the weekend, 3-2 at Kal Tire Place North.
“There was very much a playoff atmosphere in the building tonight,” says Assistant Coach of the Vipers Colton Sparrow. “Alberni has a very good team and fought hard. I’m extremely proud of our group for sticking together and winning that game tonight.”
The scoring was started early as just 50 seconds in, a Noah Dorey point shot deflected off the goaltender, off Luke Bibby before trickling across the line making it 1-0. Later in the period, Julian Facchinelli converted on a powerplay after a bouncing puck found him at the side of the goal. The powerplay marker was the fifth powerplay goal in the last three games.
Luke Pakulak scored in the second period, while the game was 4 on 4, after a nice set up from Hank Cleaves.
Ethan David had 25 saves on 27 shots.
Vernon won the special teams battle going 1 for 4 on the powerplay and killing off all 4 Bulldog powerplays. That including a lengthy 5 on 3 powerplay that ended the second and kicked off the third period.
Matt Kursonis and Brady McIsaac had the Alberni Valley goals.
Hlib Artsatbanov made 28 saves on 31 shots. None bigger than a breakaway save on Adam Csabi late in regulation time.
The Vipers will head to Prince George next weekend for a set of games against the Spruce Kings.
