Vipers Suffer Rare Loss at Home 6-1 to Vees

The Vernon Vipers didn't have the performance they were expecting on Friday night against the Penticton Vees.  At times the energy level was there, but some bounces went against them and they just couldn't recover.  

The Vipers came out with a solid start to the game, moving the puck well, skating and playing physical.  An early powerplay helped getting some shots and time of possession.  They didn't capitalize, but seemed to get momentum.  The Vees would get a powerplay and their number ranked man advantage would go to work as Erik Benoit would pot home a rebound.  It would take only 8 seconds for the Vees to increase their lead off the stick of Cody DePourcq and the score was 2-0 after 1.

In the second, the ice was tilted in the Vipers favour, but once again it was a goal from the Vees as Jarod Hilderman would get his first BCHL goal.  The Vipers didn't hang their head and once again kept the pressure on the Vees.  They would be rewarded as Logan Mick would bang home a loose puck to make it 3-1.  A few minutes later the Vees would regain the three goal lead as Shane McColgan would score his first as a Vee.  Then another powerplay would be converted on by Penticton as Cody DePourcq scored his second of the night.  That would spell the end of the night for Austin Smith and the stat line wasn't pretty.  After 2 periods it was 5-1 Vees.

No surprise, but the Vees pretty much locked it down and prevented much through the neutral zone.  Josh Blanchard would tack onto the Vees lead with his third of the season to make it 6-1, but it was inconsequential as the Vipers would fall to the division leaders 6-1.

My 3 Key Thoughts - 

1) - Somethings Missing - And that something is a consistent effort from a good number of players.  For the third straight game it appeared that there were a few passengers and that is something that will leave a coaching staff and fan base perplexed.  At times it just looks like going through the motions and clearly its being noticed by the coaching staff as TJ Dumonceaux and Logan Mick continue to see their ice time increase, while others see theirs drop.  

2) - Unfriendly Division - With the loss, the Vipers are now 0-5-0-1 against the Interior Division in their last 6 games.  That is a stat they would love to turn around with 10 of the last 12 against divisional foes.  They are just a game above .500 against the Interior Division after the loss Friday.  There is no question this division is one of, if not the toughest, throughout Junior A hockey, but this club will need to find away to have success against the division, if they are to have a long playoff run.

3) - Looking To Leaders - In situations like the one the Vipers are in now, you have to look to your leaders.  This team is chalked full of leaders and I expect those leaders to step up down the stretch.  Of course there is still no need to panic, but the bad habits have to be worked out and there is no time like the present.

The Vipers are back on the ice in Merritt on Saturday night to face the Centennials.  They will look to shake off a tough 4-1 loss the last time they were in the NVMA.  All the action is on KissFM starting at 7:15 with the pregame show and play by play starting at 7:30.