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Vipers Sink Nanaimo Face Powell River

VERNON, B.C.  OCTOBER 14th, 2017

It’s the battle of top spot teams tonight as the 8-3-0-2 Vipers face off against the 8-1-and-1 Powell River Kings. The Kings are coming off a 5-1 win over Chilliwack last night.

The Vipers meanwhile, got the rebound game they needed as they got out to an early lead in the first period and came away with a big 4-1 win over the visiting Nanaimo Clippers.  Ty Taylor stopped 27 of 28 saves for his 5th win of the season and Connor Marritt chipped in with his first BCHL goal.

The Vipers got out to a quick pace right off the bat as they controlled the puck for the better part of the period.  The forecheck was tenacious getting in on the Nanaimo defenders, making their lfe difficult.  The Vipers opened the scoring on a nice tip from Connor Marritt who registered his first BCHL goal following a knee high wrister from Michael Young.  Ty Taylor wasn’t tested often in the first period, but when he was, he made the saves most notably stopping Lucas Vanroboys on a partial break.  The Viper powerplay which had sputtered recently was perfect in the period going 1 for 1 as a point shot from Chris Jandric got through the screen of Tanner Wishnowski and past Austin Roden to give the Vipers a 2-0 lead.  The Vipers finished the period shorthanded, but did a nice job of minimizing the Nanaimo chances to take a 2-0 lead into the dressing room after 1.

As free flowing as the first period was, the second was the contrary as things got a little testy as they physicality picked up.  Both teams threw their weight around and tried to ruffle some feathers.  In total, six minor penalties were awarded, with the Clippers getting a few in succession.  Ty Taylor was spectacular making a few key saves while dealing with bodies in front.  The Clippers were able to get on the board after a scramble at the side of the net after Vincent Millette flipped a loose puck home.  Things got a little heated as Ty Taylor responded to a few extra whacks, but was assessed a roughing penalty.  The Vipers killed it off and were rewarded with a powerplay that rolled over into the 3rd period with the Snakes leading 2-1.

The third period was more like the first as it was settled even strength.  The Vipers restored their 2 goal lead early on as Shane Kelly ripped home a shot from the far boards for his first of the season to make it 3-1.  From there the Vipers used the puck possession game to minimize the Clipper attack.  Ty Taylor still needed to be sharp as he stopped all 8 shots that came his way.  Jordan Sandhu got in on the offense in the later stages of the period as a weak backhander deflected off a body in front for his 2nd of the season.  The final horn sounded with the Vipers getting their 8th win of the year following a 4-1 win in front of 2032 fans at Kal Tire Place.

It’s Vernon vs Powell River tonight, starting at 6pm at KAL TIRE PLACE!