Merritt, BC: Anthony Cliche, Luke Buss and Ayden Third had regulation goals and the Vipers peppered the Merritt goal with 61 shots, but would ultimately need a shootout to take down the Merritt Centennials 4-3.
The Vipers onslaught started early as the game plan seemed simple, funnel pucks to the net. That strategy was executed on early and often. Anthony Cliche opened the scoring with a point shot for his 2nd goal of the season making it 1-0. The chances continued to pile up as the period progressed, but the Cents drew even as Ryan Mullrenin scored making it 1-1 after 1. The shots after 20 minutes finished 23-9 Vernon.
The game evened out in the second period and just one goal to speak of and it came off the stick of Anton Sorenson as he cut to the middle to score his second goal of the season. John Hicks continued to stand tall stopping 16 Vernon shots in the second period.
Finally the Vipers were able to break through as Luke Buss picked the pocket of the defender and snap one over the shoulder of Hicks making it 2-2. Just 15 seconds later, Ayden Third scored his first BCHL goal from the slot to make it 3-2. Merritt evened the game up on a later powerplay as Ryan Mullrenin snapped home his second of the game.
The Vipers had a chance to end it in OT, but couldn’t score on a 4 on 3 powerplay.
In the shootout the Vipers leaned on two guys who had won them their last shootout and they did not disappoint as Zack Tonelli and Cam MacDonald both scored. Ethan David was perfect stopping both Merritt shooters as the Vipers won 4-3.
The road trip continues Friday as the Vipers head north to take on the Prince George Spruce Kings.
