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Vipers Rally Late, Fall in a Shootout 3-2

Powell River, BC:   The Vernon Vipers tied the game in the final minute, but couldn’t find the extra point as they fell in a shootout to the Powell River Kings on Friday night.  Jagger Williamson had a pair of points and Max Palaga stopped 33 saves in the effort.

The Vipers jumped out to an early shot advantage putting up 4 before the Kings registered their first.  Teddy Wooding had a great chance on a 2 on 1, but was stopped by Hayden Missler.  Powell River opened the scoring as Ben Thomas set up Nathan Fawcett in the left circle to make it 1-0 Kings.  The Kings found their legs past the midway mark and ended up outshooting the Vipers the rest of the frame, but the score remained 1-0.

The second period was as close to even as you could imagine as both teams had some chances, but there were many instances where there was a lot of flow, with both teams executing defensively and not turning many pucks over.  Both teams had looks on the man advantage, but the PK’s were up to the challenge.  The Vipers were working the boards well in the second and that worked paid off as Jagger Williamson laid a puck up for Sebastian Streu and he ripped home his second of the year to tie it up after 2.

The Kings restored their lead early in the third as Ryan Brushett snapped home a shot from the slot.  The Kings shut down the Vipers offense for the next 10 minutes or so.  As the period carried on though, the Vipers seemingly found another gear and started to spend more and more time in the Powell River zone.  The last 7 minutes were spent in the Kings end as the Vipers upped the pressure.  A late penalty though, put the Vipers come back chances in jeopardy as Jack Judson would sit for Interference.  The Vipers PK came up large and that proved to be a big moment.  With Palaga on the bench for the extra attacker, a puck was centered by Swetlikoff to Williamson and he snapped home the tying goal with just 23 seconds left in regulation forcing OT for the second straight game.

In the extra period, Max Palaga stood tall keeping the game even heading to the shootout.

In the shootout, Jagger Williamson and Sebastian Streu were stopped, while Mitch Williams and Nathan Fawcett found the back of the net to give the Kings the extra point in a 3-2 shoot out win.

The Vipers are unbeaten in regulation in their last 4, but winless in 2.  They’ll look to get back into the win column Saturday night in Alberni Valley.