Penticton, BC: Brett Fudger scored his first BCHL in the first and Christian Felton tallied the game winner in overtime as the Vipers defeated the Vees 2-1 in extra time.
The first period saw these two teams ease into the game with neither team taking many chances or making many mistakes. The Vees had the games first powerplay, but it was the Vipers generating the best opportunity. Marritt and Holt combined on a turnover that saw the latter breakaway, but Yaniv Perets shut the door to keep the game scoreless. Midway thru the period, it was the Vipers turn on the powerplay and a centering pass from Matt Kowalski fell to the feet of Brett Fudger and he was able to lift a puck past Perets to make it 1-0. Save of the night came later in the period as Reilly Herbst stoned Tristan Amonte on a cross ice pass. This big save would keep it 1-0 Vernon after 1 period.
In the second, there were chances. Lots of chances for both sides. Penticton racked up 21 shots on goal in the period, some from outside others on very good looking opportunities. The Vipers for their part didn’t register as many shots, but had a lot of good looks as well. Herbst stood tall in the frame making a big shoulder save. The Vipers penalty kill was a focal point in the period and as it has all year long it was perfect at key times. Landon Fuller and Brendan Kim both made stellar blocks to keep the Vipers ahead 1-0 after 2 periods.
In the third, both teams had good looks at the net. This game could have easily had multiple goals in it, had it not been for the stellar goaltending of Herbst and Perets. The Vees found the equalizer as a Danny Weight pass slid through the legs of Herbst and poked in by Alex DiPaolo to tie the game at 1. After that, both teams tightened up and it appeared subconsciously were prepared for overtime which loomed.
In the extra period, the Vipers had the only looks at the net. The best chance came to Cam MacDonald who was robbed by Perets and the skate of Niedermayer keeping it tied. The Vipers would head back up the ice on the next shift and a hot shot from Kowalski handcuffed Perets and Christian Felton, who was driving the net, poked in the loose puck to give the Vipers the extra point and a 2-1 win.
The Vipers will look to keep their streak going against a team that has an even longer one going when the Trail Smoke Eaters come to town Saturday night.
You can get your tickets at vernonvipers.com
