Vipers Powerplay Leads Snakes to 2-1 win

Normally the gritty and greasy games are saved for the road.  Not the case tonight at Kal Tire Place as the Vipers played a solid defensive game and got some help on special teams to take a 2-1 victory over the rival Salmon Arm Silverbacks.

Salmon Arm had a great start to the 1st period as they outshot the Vipers 8-3 at one point.  Two powerplays helped that, but the Viper penalty kill was very good limiting many serious chances.  Vernon themselves would get two chances with the man advantage, but were unable to convert.  Period would end scoreless with the teams deadlocked with 9 shots a piece.

Vernon strived to play a simple game Friday Night and it was that mentality that led to the first goal of the game as Liam Coughlin would pot home a rebound off of Adam Clark just 95 seconds in.  The Vipers really didn't allow a lot as the Silverbacks pressured to get the game equalized.  Shortly after a successful penalty kill for the Vipers a crazy ricochet ended up in front of the Viper goal and Evan Anderson was able to put it home to tie the game.  On the official scoresheet the goal was credited to Max Becker, although I believe at some point it will be changed.  After 40 minutes the game was tied 1-1.

The play opened up in the third with both teams generating speed through the neutral zone and both goalies had to be sharp.  The fifth powerplay of the night for the Vipers would prove to be the turning point as some great passing down low resulted in Michael McNicholas scoring his 8th of the season on a one timer to give the Vipers a key 2-1 lead.  The Backs would pull Adam Clark in an attempt to get the game tied, but as they did all night, the team was very tight and disciplined in their own end to hang on for a 2-1 win.

My 3 Key Thoughts

1) Powerplay Strikes - Too many times this season, the turning point has been the lack of production from the powerplay.  Not tonight as the game winner was scored with the man advantage.  The Vipers ended the night 1 for 5, but that one was very important.  Its a monkey off the back for the powerplay that hadn't scored in exactly 2 weeks and almost 5 games.

2) Renz Returns - For the past 16 games, Ryan Renz was chomping at the bit to get back into the lineup.  He was finally deemed healthy enough to return and immediately made an impact.  He had an assist on the Vipers first goal, played some big minutes and didn't show any rink rust.  Good to see the Vipers captain back.

3) Pretty close to 60 minutes - This was a very impressive game for the Vipers.  Jason Williamson said that he wanted to see more grit and greasy games on home ice.  They kept a very talented Silverbacks team to the outside and played a complete game offensively, defensively and in goal.

In a very tight Interior Division, the Vipers now take hold of sole possession of 3rd place in the Interior Division, with an off day Saturday and a matinee Sunday against the Victoria Grizzlies.  That game will be internet only and you can catch the pregame show at 1:45pm!