For the third straight game in this series, the Vernon Vipers held a 3-1 lead, but for the second straight game the Penticton Vees would mount a come back and win. This game stings for the Vipers who were 6 minutes away from taking a 2-1 series lead. They couldn't hold it and now its the Vees who have a 2-1 series lead heading into a huge game 4.
The Vipers had the perfect start on home ice as they came out flying. The forecheck was great, they were throwing the body around and they were able to score first as TJ Dumonceaux would finish off a 2 on 1 to make it 1-0 Vernon just before the game was 2 minutes old. The Vees to their credit responded quickly as a nice third line shift resulted in Matt Serratore rifling a one timer from the slot through Austin Smith and the game was tied. Less than three minutes later the Vipers would get another odd man rush as Brendan Persley would misfire on the first shot, but center it from behind the red line and bank it in off Hunter Miska and the Vipers led 2-1. Just over two minutes after that on the PP, Brett Mulcahy would find a rebound at the side of the net and the Vipers were up 3-1 before the period was half over. Once the period hit the 10 minute mark however, the Vees seemed to play with a little bit more energy. Fred Harbinson pulled Miska and that seemed to spark them. The first period would end 3-1 Vipers.
The comeback wasn't immediate for Penticton as the Vipers did a nice job of keeping the Vees to the outside. Penticton carried most of the play in the period, but it was a powerplay goal from Brad McClure that would get the Vees within one. McClure would then be penalized for a double minor high sticking penalty late in the period, but the Vees were able to kill it off and the period ended 3-2.
For a good chuck of the third period, I thought the Vipers handled the pressure of the Vees very well. The levee finally broke as Cody DePourcq made a strong move out of the corner and cut in front to slip a puck under Austin Smith and with just under 6 minutes to play the game was tied. The momentum continued to build for the Vees as Matt Serratore would score his second of the game off a rebound to complete the comeback and give Penticton a 4-3 lead. The Vipers had a few chances with the goalie pulled, but Olivier Mantha was able to shut the door as the Vipers fell 4-3 to the Vees.
My 3 Key Thoughts
1) - Another Lead Slips Away - The most frustrating part for this Viper team is the fact that they have led for a good portion of this series, yet find themselves down 2-1 through three games. First periods have not been the issues, but continuing with the full 60 minute effort hasn't been there. You can look at it one of two ways: 1) The Vees pressure is just too much to deal with or 2) The Vipers just aren't keeping the foot on the gas. For whatever reason the Vipers just can't seem to hold onto a 2 goal lead that they get early in games. Its getting close to gut check time. The Vipers know this series could be in their favour, but now have to work their tales off to ensure if they get a lead, they hold onto it.
2) - Goaltending - Another anomaly of this series has been the play of Penticton goaltending through 30 minutes. For the third time in four meetings, the Vees starting goalie has been lifted after give up 3 goals on less than 10 shots. The other side of the coin is that the goalie that comes into the game shuts the door and keeps the team in it.
3) - Home Ice - Kal Tire Place was electric in the first period of game 3. The Vipers fed off of it and carried the flow of play through the first 10 minutes and were rewarded because of it. All year long this team has thrived at home. The Vipers will need that home ice good fortune for game 4 to send it back to Penticton tied up at 2.
Game 4 is set to go Tuesday night at 7 pm at Kal Tire Place. You can hear all the action on 107.5 KissFM.
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