Game 3 – Vees 3 Vipers 2
The Vernon Vipers and Penticton Vees renewed their heated rivalry Wednesday Night at the SOEC. The Vipers started slow and really picked up steam late, while it was the opposite for the Vees who scored on their first shot of the game, only to hang on for the 3-2 victory.
No nerves for the Vees in their home opener as their top line would pressure early and Scott Conway would snap a wrist shot from the circle passed Andrew Shortridge. The Vipers would get it back 7 minutes later as the Vipers kept the Vees in their own zone following an icing and Odeen Tufto would slip home a Steven Jandric wrist shot. Mitchell Brooks would fool Shortridge with a tricky backhander midway through the period to give the Vees a 2-1 lead after 1 period.
The second period was mostly controlled by the Vees. Time of possession very much in their favour, but overall scoring chances weren’t as high as you’d think. Penticton would increase their lead though, as Scott Conway tallied his second of the night pouncing on his own rebound.
It was a much different Viper team that came out of the dressing room to start the third. They would get a powerplay and make quick work as Steven Jandric went bar down off a nice feed from Liam Finlay. The Vipers would push the pace in efforts to get the game tied and came within an eyelash of tying it as Riley Brandt clanked the crossbar with just seconds left in the game.
Here is the official box score:
SCORING SUMMARY
PERIOD 1
1-0 Penticton Vees at 0:42 – Scott Conway from Chris Gerrie and Tyson Jost
1-1 Vernon Vipers at 7:45 – Odeen Tufto from Liam Finlay and Steven Jandric
2-1 Penticton Vees at 11:12 – Mitchell Brooks from Jason Lavallee and Gabe Bast
PERIOD 2
3-1 Penticton Vees at 4:32 – Scott Conway from Tyson Jost and David Eccles
PERIOD 3
3-2 Vernon Vipers at 6:00 (PP) – Steven Jandric from Liam Finlay and Odeen Tufto
Here are tonight’s 3 Stars:
STARS OF THE GAME
1st STAR
2nd STAR
3rd STAR
Penticton Vees Scott Conway
Penticton Vees Tyson Jost
Vernon Vipers Odeen Tufto
POWER PLAYS
Vernon Vipers1 for 2 (50.0%)
Penticton Vees0 for 4 (00.0%)
This wasn’t an instant classic in the Viper/Vee history books, but it didn’t lack for entertainment. The Vees looked sharp in terms of controlling the puck, but the Vipers also proved that their young team can hang with a very talented Penticton team.
Both goaltenders were very solid all night, each making a couple of game savers.
The Vipers return home for a matchup with Coquitlam Express Friday night. Its an internet only game, you can catch it on FastHockey or on the Viper MixLR.
