Vernon, BC: With the regular season in their sites, the Vernon Vipers had one more hurdle to deal with as the defending National Champion Brooks Bandits came to town for the first time. In what was a fantastic back and forth affair, the Snakes pulled out the OT win to close the book on the preseason, 3-2.
It was a strange day for the team as a late circumstance forced the game to played at Kal Tire Place North. The Vipers faithful were treated to a fast paced game that the home side were able to get the jump on thanks to a powerplay goal from Ben Sanderson. He was set up by Brendan Kim and Connor Sleeth at 6:12. The lead didn’t last long as Taylor Makar walked off the right wall and ripped a shot high over the shoulder of Ross Hawryluk to make it 1-1. Trey Thomas made it 2-1 late in the period for the visitors. The shots finished 11-10 in favour of the Vipers.
In the second period Ben Sanderson sprung himself on a breakaway and made no mistake low to the blocker side of Pierce Charleson just 4 minutes into the period. The Vipers special teams looked solid in this one killing off a pair of penalties and getting some help from Hawryluk. The Vipers swapped their goalies midway thru the period as Hawryluk would be replaced by Dawson Pelletier. Shots finished 10 apiece in a 2-2 tie.
Nothing would be solved in third period, but lots of chances, both Pelletier and Charleson were sharp stopping 11 shots each.
OT was required and in the extra frame Matt Kowalski set up Cameron MacDonald to give the home side the 3-2 win.
“Everyone seemed a lot more engaged this afternoon than Friday night,” says Head Coach and GM Jason McKee. “This was a nice way to finish off the preseason against a very good team.”
The Vipers will now get a full week of practice before beginning the regular season Friday night in West Kelowna.
