Vipers Smother the Smokies and win 6-3

Now don't let the title fool you.  This game was tight for the first 42 minutes.  The Smokies came to play and gave the Vipers all they could handle.  In the end it was a span of 6 minutes that made the difference and allowed Vernon to come out on top of a 6-3 victory.

The Viper top line has been coming alive of late.  Demico Hannoun has started to score more and the addition of Colton Sparrow to that line adds veteran leadership and grit.  That line would open the scoring as Demico Hannoun would strike for his 5th of the season off a rebound in front.  That lead wouldn't last long as the impressive Smokies powerplay would go to work.  A good forecheck from Brendan Lamont would set up Jake Kauppila who cut to the front and slipped a backhander past Todosychuk to get the game tied through 1 period.

Not much happening in the second period until the very end as a great individual effort by Tyson Witala resulted in a chance that was initially stopped by Todosychuk, but the rebound hit a Viper defender and crossed the line to give Trail a 2-1 lead after 2.

The third period was dominated by the Vipers on the scoreboard as Riley Guenther, Colton Sparrow, Mason Blacklock who had 2 and Michael McNicholas would score in the first 8 minutes to blow the game wide open.  It was a series of unfortunate events for the Smokies as everything that could go wrong did in that 8 minutes span.  The Smokies would get a goal at 19:58 as Lucchini would come out of the penalty box and wire a slap shot past Todosychuk to make the final 6-3.

My 3 Key Thoughts

1) - 3rd, 3rd period Comeback - Jason Williamson said he'd prefer his team to get on the board more frequently before the 3rd period, but this was the third time in the last 4 games where the Vipers have scored in clusters while behind in games.  This team has an explosive offense and seem to confident and comfortable while trailing after 40 minutes.

2) - Top Line Strikes - The top line of Blacklock, Hannoun and Sparrow combined for 10 points.  Thats the type of production the coaching staff is looking for from their top players and Tuesday night they did not disappoint.  There's no doubt the three have chemistry and the results speak for themselves.

3) - Colton Sparrow -  A big shout out has to go to Colton Sparrow who took a puck in the face and lost a few teeth on the play only to come back with a full face shield and contribute with a goal and an assist.  Thats the type of leadership and determination that will fuel this team going forward.

The Vipers have now won 4 in a row with a big road trip starting Friday night in Powell River.  All 3 games of the island swing can be heard on Village Green Hotel Vipers Hockey on 1075 KissFM.  The Pre game show Friday will be starting at 7:15 with the play by play at 7:30.