Vipers Bust Slump In Pen 2-1 Over Vees

When going into a building where you haven't had success in almost two calendar years, you tend to simplify things and get back to basics.  A slump of that proportion can also prove as a huge motivator.  That fact rang true on Friday night as the Vipers finally won at the SOEC for the first time since November 23rd 2012.  It was as close to a perfect defensive game the club could have asked for and with the two points the Vipers distanced themselves from the teams chasing them and eeked them closer to claiming one of the final two playoff spots in the Interior.

It didn't start off well for the Vipers as Patrick Sexton would float a shot from the left point that bounced off a glove and a face before finding its way past Austin Smith just 17 seconds into the game.  That seemed to put the Vipers on their heels through the opening 10 minutes as the Vees carried the momentum.  The Vipers then took to throwing the body as a way to get going and it seemed to work as the Vipers had a nice middle and end to the first period thanks to the physicality, but trailed 1-0 after 1.

Just as it was two nights earlier in Trail, I thought the Vipers had their most consistent effort in the middle stanza.  Thanks in part to a few successful penalty kills the Vipers found themselves within striking distance and finally were able to capitalize on a chance as Michael McNicholas finished off a beautiful passing play at the midway mark to make it 1-1.

It would remain that way into the third when the Vipers found themselves on a man advantage.  Mulcahy tried to stretch the Penticton D and Dancs was sent in alone only to be hauled down and awarded a penalty shot.  Dancs would make no mistake on his opportunity and give the Snakes their first lead of the game.  After that, the Vipers would lock it down keeping the Vees to the outside and once again thanks to some spectacular penalty killing come away with a huge two points and a 2-1 victory.

My 3 Key Thoughts

1) - Masterful PK - Normally you don't like your chances when you give up 6 powerplays and 3 of them in the third period to the best PP in the league, but the Vipers seemed not to notice the statistics and just bared  down and got to work killing them.  The Vees didn't get much to the goal on any of their man advantages and at one point I thought the Vipers had the better chances while a man short.  Some timely blocks and solid saves made it a perfect night for the PK and was a big reason the game ended 2-1.

2) - Top Guys - The top line of the Vipers really stepped up tonight as they spent most of their time in the offensive zone.  Exactly where you'd want them to be.  The Vees top line was in the offensive zone a lot too, but were relegated to the outside and not allowed much time and space near the goal.  Two goal scorers goals from the Vipers top line was the difference as McNicholas and Dancs continue to heat up down the stretch.  If this line continues to light it up and contribute it can only bode well for a team who is still missing one of its top snipers in Mason Blacklock.

3) - Monkey Off The Back - Its hard not to read into the statistics sometimes, but I will tell you every Viper player and staff member knew they hadn't won in Penticton in a long time.  It served as motivation and you could see it in they way they attacked the puck carriers, made smart plays out of their own zone and hit as often as possible.  It was a playoff atmosphere on the ice and in the stands.  What the Vipers should take away is that they can win in a tough building like the SOEC and they will have to do it again at some point if they want to go through the front door to the RBC Cup.

The Vipers will have another tough test Saturday night as they play host to the West Kelowna Warriors.  The Vipers will look to win the season series from the Tribe, but West K will be unhappy after blowing a lead on Friday night against Victoria.  You can catch all the action on 107.5 Kiss FM starting at 6:45 with the pregame show.  Its Tim Hortons night and the first 200 fans will get a free coffee on Tim's.  See you at the rink!