Fans saw everything except a penalty shot and a kitchen sink on Saturday as the Vipers and Spruce Kings duked it out in a 4-4 tie. It was a thoroughly entertaining and exciting affair that saw an hour delay due to a broken pane of glass, a linesman punched and a late game comeback by the home team.
It was a slow moving first period as both teams really seemed to be feeling each other out. Only one shot on goal in the first 8 minutes was proof of that. The Vipers would get a powerplay, looking to carry Friday nights success into Saturday, but it would backfire as Chad Staley would steal a puck and score on a shorthanded breakaway to make it 1-0. Then cue the chaos. A body check behind the Viper goal absolutely shattered the glass onto the ice and onto the goal judge. That would result in a one hour delay as rink crews had some difficulties getting the right size sheet of glass. In the end, they would run the intermission and finish the last 5 minutes after the break.
The opening few minutes after the hour break were very physical. Both teams throwing big body checks trying to implement an element of physicality. There would be no scoring in the final 5 minutes of the first, so the teams would switch sides and begin the second. Once again Prince George seemed to have an answer for everything the Vipers threw at them including blocked shots and timely saves from Alex Murray. Their 16th ranked powerplay would go to work and didn't take long to strike as Chad Staley would score his second of the game off a huge scramble in front and it was 2-0 PG. It was redemption for Liam Coughlin who was in the penalty box when Staley scored his second, as Coughlin would streak down the left side and out wait Murray to get the Vipers within a goal. The Vipers fourth line would contribute as Tyler Povelofskie would score his first in the BCHL to get the game tied heading to the third period.
A couple of defensive breakdowns resulted in a deficit early in third for the Vipers as Christian Weidauer and Chad Staley would score to give the Sprucies a 4-2 lead. The 4th goal would be Staley's hat trick goal as he was dangerous all night long. The way things were going, at no point was the game out of reach for either side. Fifty five seconds after the Staley marker, Michael McNicholas would score to make it 4-3. The Vipers were then shorthanded after a Saharchuk boarding call and on that call more chaos ensued as while trying to break up a fight between Weidauer and Dumonceaux, linesman Ryan Dawson was clocked with a right hand and forced to leave the game. The Snakes would kill of the penalty and McNicholas would tie they game up with just 3 minutes left on the clock.
Overtime didn't solve anything although both goaltenders made some impressive saves to keep it tied and final at 4-4.
My 3 Key Thoughts
1) - Long Delay - It couldn't have been easy for either side to endure that one hour delay in the first period. Both teams came out physical and it seemed like it sparked both sides.
2) - Chad Staley - He played like a man possessed with 3 goals and an assist and at times single handedly carried the team on his back. Offensively and defensively he was far an away the best player on the ice.
3) - The Comeback - The line of Dancs, Coughlin and McNicholas continue to produce and were in on both goals late in regulation to get the game tied. The chemistry they seem to have is uncanny and when the Vipers get Blacklock and Hannoun back in the lineup, the top 6 for the Vipers will be very impressive.
This game tested my ability as a broadcaster and I'm sure my colleague Ron Gallo felt the same way having to fill a one hour void. I'd like to thank Mason Blacklock for being in the broadcast as without him, it wouldn't have gone as smooth as it did. The Vipers now have a few days of practice before a big matchup in Merritt on Friday Night.
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