Bounces Go Against Vipers in 5-3 Loss in West K

If the Vipers didn't have bad luck, they'd have no luck at all.  Calls and bounces got away from what was a pretty solid effort from Vernon tonight in a 5-3 loss.

The Vipers had a nice start to the game, moving their feet and throwing the body.  The forecheck was also effective and it resulted in Dexter Dancs getting the Snakes on the board first.  A fortunate bounce for the Warriors had David Pope snapping home a shot from the circle to tie the game up.  A Viper powerplay would give them the lead once more off the stick of Jared Wilson.

Colton Sparrow would increase the lead to 3-1 after a steal in the offensive zone.  That was the best it would get for the Vipers as West Kelowna would get within one off the stick of Liam Blackburn.  Shortly after that on a 5 on 3 powerplay Carl Hesler would convert to tie the game up.

Final period had all the bounces and calls going against the Vipers.  A five minute major would be assessed to Brett Mulcahy and the Vipers killed off 4 minutes and 53 seconds of it before Tyson Dallman gave his team their first lead of the game.  An even strength goal late in regulation would seal as the Warriors win it 5-3.

My 3 Key Thoughts

1) - Missed Calls - There were missed calls on both sides of the ledger tonight, but what I think had the Vipers most frustrated was the fact that a non call at one end, would end up a call at the other.  The Vipers were close to bailing themselves out of trouble on two different occasions, but the Warriors made those breaks count.

2) - Turning Point - The turning point in this game wasn't the 5 minute major penalty, it wasn't the fourth line fights in the first period, it was a toe save by Andy Desautels off Michael McNicholas.  The score was 3-1 Vernon at that point.  If the Snakes get a 3 goal lead, I don't think this game would've ended in a loss.  The save was made and Blackburn got the game within one.

3) - Channeling Frustration - When you play a good game and don't win and you feel absolutely frustrated and stumped as to what went wrong, it is key to channel the frustration and refocus for the next one.  Luckily for the Vipers they will get at it less than 24 hours later at home.  The Vipers are very good at the friendly confines and will look to come out determined to get this month and weekend turned around.

You can catch all the action at Kal Tire Place starting at 6:45 on 107.5 KissFM.