Overcoming adversity is exactly how the Vipers are going to look back at Saturday night's game against the West Kelowna Warriors. Some of that adversity was self inflicted, some not, the end result however was a big victory in a game at times it seemed they had no business being in. As the game wore on the Warriors wore down and the injury bug continued to bite the Tribe. For a second straight night the Viper PK was outstanding and possibly the biggest reason Vernon was able to come away with two points.
The Warriors came out flying in the first period and had a well deserved 2-0 lead after Braden Pears scored a powerplay marker and Seb Lloyd converted on a sloppy effort from the Vipers at their own blueline. Things turned at 15:34 of the first period as Liam Coughlin sent Braden Pears into the board with a check from behind that gave the Tribe a chance to increase their lead late in the period. The Vipers then found themselves down 5 on 3 during that penalty, but were able to shut down the Warrior powerplay and get to the intermission down by 2.
The second period was a bit more even, but once again it seemed like a parade to the penalty box, but this frame was a bit more even when it came to infractions. Neither team could do much with the man advantage, but the momentum took a turn in the Vipers favour as Tyler Povelofskie found some room on a breakaway and converted to make it 2-1.
The third was a dandy as the Vipers down by a goal picked up the pace and continued to play the body and wear down the increasing list of injured Warriors. Once again the Vipers found themselves on a 5 minute penalty kill this powerplay didn't seem as justified as the first one they were given, yet they found a way to kill it off with just 90 seconds left in regulation. They were awarded a late powerplay and with Austin Smith on the bench the Dexter Dancs would tie the game up with just 13 seconds left.
OT was controlled by the Vipers as they didn't allow a shot on goal. Andy Desautels was great in the first OT making a huge glove save on Dancs to keep it tied. The second OT would begin and Dancs would centre a pass to Riley Guenther who would complete the comeback and give the Vipers a 3-2 win.
My 3 Key Thoughts
1) - PK Is Key - The Vipers would tell you they took too many penalties in this game. The bright side is that they killed 8 of 9 which at the end of the day was the key contributor to the win. Blocked shots and big saves aplenty for the short man, but they continued to build momentum after giving up a PP goal on the first chance the Warriors had.
2) - The Hit - Might as well just come out and say it, the Liam Coughlin Check From Behind Penalty on Braden Pears was an ugly hit. There are other adjectives some would use to describe a hit like that, but for me it was an ugly hit and not much else can be said. But I will say this, Liam Coughlin plays on the edge every night and he clearly crossed that line on a hit that didn't necessarily need to be made. There is a good chance there could be supplementary discipline that can't really be disputed. In the end, the punishment will be fair and it was good to see Braden Pears return albeit in a new jersey and a cage. I firmly believe its the responsibility of the player to ease up when the opposition is in a vulnerable position and that wasn't the case there. Once again the main positive is Pears returned and despite the broken nose played a solid game for the Tribe.
3) - Going Over The Edge - Tonight was an example of the Vipers players trying to impose their physical will. There is a fine line between playing physical and taking penalties, tonight I thought they got a little carried away at times trying to throw the big body check. The PK bailed them out, but that may not always be the case. As I say that, the physicality really wore down Penticton last night and West Kelowna tonight. I just think they may need to reel it in just a tad to stay on the right side of the physicality line.
The Vipers had a very successful week getting all 6 points from Interior Division opponents. They remain 5 points up on Merritt and now 10 points up on Salmon Arm. Next up for the Snakes is a matchup against the Silverbacks at Kal Tire Place. All the action is on the Vipers MixLR starting at 6:45 with the pregame show.
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