Vernon, BC: Jagger Williamson had a pair of goals and Josh Latta tied the game with just 6 seconds left, but it wasn’t enough as a Cameron Thompson goal in the shootout was the difference as the Vipers dropped a 6-5 shootout decision to the Victoria Grizzlies.
The first period had plenty of chances, but not many goals as Aidan Porter and Kurtis Chapman stood tall. Case in point, the first three minutes of the game saw grade A chances as Porter made two big pad saves and Chapman made a big one as well. The Grizzlies carried a good chunk of the first and outshot the Vipers 14-7 in the period. The only goal came from a late powerplay as Charlie Campbell banked a puck off Porter from behind the red line to make it 1-0 Victoria after 1 period.
For the lack of offense in the 1st period, the second more than made up for it. The Grizzlies increased their lead in the first minute as Alex Campbell snapped home his 11th of the year on a 2 on 1. They made it 3-0 as Riley Hughes knocked in a loose puck at the side of the Vipers goal 40 seconds later. Mark Ferner called his timeout to rally the troops and it paid off as Connor Marritt was sprung on a breakaway and he scored his 5th of the year to make it 3-1. Less than 4 minutes later after a Vipers powerplay expired, Michael Young hammered a slap shot off the glove of Chapman and in to make it 3-2 early in the 2nd. Penalty trouble but the Vipers down by two again as Jeremie Bucheler tapped home a back door pass from Alex Newhook to make it 4-2. The Vipers were shorthanded again later on in the period, but Jagger Williamson caused a turnover and scored a shorthanded goal to make it 4-3 after 2 period.
Williamson kicked off the 3rd period in style as he scored on another breakaway just 71 seconds into the period to make it 4-4. On the play Kurtis Chapman was injured and would be replaced by Kyle Dumba. The Vipers tested Dumba early, but couldn’t get their first lead. Victoria regained their lead off a faceoff as Riley Hughes ripped home a shot from the slot to make it 5-4. The Vipers continued to go toe to toe with the Grizzlies, but it wasn’t until the final 6 seconds when Josh Latta’s shot deflected off a stick under the bar to draw the Vipers even and force overtime.
In overtime there were plenty of chances, but no goals as Porter and Dumba were outstanding.
In a shootout the only goal would come in the 4th round as Cameron Thompson slipped a puck home to give the visitors the extra point and a 6-5 Shootout win.
Here’s the Scoring Summary:
1ST PERIOD
VIC – Charlie Campbell (6) – Cameron Thompson (13), Nico Somerville (12) – 18:44 (PP)
2ND PERIOD
VIC – Alex Campbell (11) – Ryan Nolan (11), Kurtis Chapman (2) – 0:50
VIC – Riley Hughes (13) – Alex Campbell (21) – 1:29
VER – Connor Marritt (5) – Teddy Wooding (9), Mitch Andres (10) – 1:53
VER – Michael Young (7) – Trey Taylor (3) – 5:10
VIC – Jeremie Bucheler (4) – Alex Campbell (22), Alex Newhook (25) – 7:50 (PP)
VER – Jagger Williamson (6) – unassisted – 14:20 (SH)
3RD PERIOD
VER – Jagger Williamson (7) – Jesse Lansdell (7) – 1:11
VIC – Riley Hughes (14) – Alex Newhook (26) – 7:14
VER – Josh Latta (10) – Jesse Lansdell – 19:54
OVERTIME
NO SCORING
SHOOTOUT
Cameron Thompson with the only goal in the 4th round.
The Vipers homestand continues Friday night as the Salmon Arm Silverbacks come to town.
