The Vees started strong as Ben Dalpe scored just 29 seconds in off a wrist shot from the right circle. The Vipers looked tentative early and battled the puck in their own zone. The Vees had the edge in time of possession and shots, but after the opening goal didn't get many grade A chances. The Vipers on the other hand didn't get many looks offensively, despite two powerplays which looked dangerours but couldn't convert.
The Vipers came out of the intermission firing and carried the play in the first five minutes and it would pay dividends. Just 26 seconds in Dylan Chanter would score his first as a Viper and first of the postseason with a slapper from the point. 37 seconds after that Liam Coughlin would re-direct a point shot from Mason Blacklock to give Vernon a 2-1 lead. Three and a half minutes later Michael McNicholas would steal a puck in the Penticton zone and snap a shot five hole on Olivier Mantha to give the Vipers a 3-1 lead less than 5 minutes in. That would spell the end of the night for Mantha as Fred Harbinson would swap goaltenders and put in Hunter Miska. Ironically, it was the last shot the Vipers would get in the period. It was then Austin Smiths turn to shine as he turned aside all 16 shots he faced and many quality chances as the Vees started to buzz. The period would come to a close with Vernon lead 3-1.
The Vees started the period with urgency, but the goal would come off a lucky bounce as a ricochet off the end boards hopped over Kenny Citrons stick and right to Brad McClure who would out wait Smith and get the Viper lead down to 1. Vernon responded just under three minutes later as Colton Sparrow finished off a fantastic individual effort to drive the net and slip the puck under Hunter Miska to restore the two goal lead. That goal would prove crucial as both teams traded odd man rushes that didn't result in goals. The Vipers would get caught on a defensive miscue and Max Coatta would steal a puck and snap it past Smith to make it 4-3 with less than 4 minutes to play. The Vees threw everything at the net in the final moments of the game just couldn't get the puck to settle as the Vipers would hang on for a 4-3 win.
My 3 Key Thoughts
1) - Turnovers - Both teams were guilty of turnovers that led to goals. There are two ways to look at it: 1) The forechecks were outstanding causing those mistakes or 2) the teams were just uncharacteristically sloppy in their own end. I thought it was a combination of both. For both teams it was an eye opener to be prepared for the forecheck and to exit the zones up the boards instead of up the middle.
2) - Unassisted Aplenty - The final four goals of the game were all unassisted. It was an example of how important burying your chances truly is. Mistakes, lucky bounces and fantastic efforts were the foundation of those goals.
3) - Rebounding - For the second straight time at the SOEC, the Vipers were able to bounce back after giving up the opening goal on the first shot of the game. They were able to do it back on Valentines day with a 2-1 win and again Friday in a 4-3 victory. When early goals go in, its all about how a team reacts. Its easy to get your head down and dwell on it, but the Vipers have the right mentality by quickly putting those goals behind them and refocusing on the game.
Game 2 of the Interior Division Final goes Saturday night on 107.5 KissFM. The pregame show starts at 5:45 with play by play starting at 6.
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