Game 4 - Express 4 Vipers 3 - OT

Another night, another good performance from the Vernon Vipers, albeit in a losing effort in overtime.  The Vipers outplayed the Express for a good part of the night, but had trouble finishing on some chances, while the Express did the very opposite.  In the end, there were quite a few positives for the Vipers who managed to tie the game late to ensure one point.

The Vipers started off the game quickly, throwing a lot of pressure and a lot of pucks at Express goaltender Tyger Howat.  At one point the shots were 7-1 and through that flurry, the Vipers were able to get on the board thanks to a powerplay goal from Jimmy Lambert, his first in the BCHL.  The Express would score their first powerplay goal of the season thanks to Erik Udahl who let a seeing eye wrister from the left circle through Jarrod Schamerhorn.  Late in the period, Jackson Cressey would sweep a backhand wrap around into the awning cage to give the road team a 2-1 lead after 1 period.

The Vipers continued their strong play despite being down a goal and again thanks to their powerplay were able to tie the game up as Colton McCarthy would redirect a point shot through Tyger Howatto tie the game up at 2.

The third was a dominant period for the Vipers who swarmed, but the found themselves behind early thanks to Jackson Cressey who tallied his second of the night off a rebound in front.  The Vipers would ramp up the energy and thanks to some brilliant goaltending from Howat still found themselves behind.  The effort finally paid off late as Joe Sacco would score his first goal in the BCHL off a nice feed from Hunter Zandee.  This game would need extra time to determine a winner.

In overtime, it takes one shot and for the Express it came off the stick of Austin McIlmurray as he picked the Viper defensemans pocket, then ripped a shot past Schamerhorn to give the road team the victory 4-3.

Here is the official box score:

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

1-0 Vernon Vipers at 5:35 (PP) - Jimmy Lambert from Riley Brandt and Mitchell Oliver

1-1 Coquitlam Express at 12:29 (PP) - Erik Udahl from Jarell Pinchuk and Jackson Cressey

2-1 Coquitlam Express at 18:06 - Jackson Cressey from Colton Kerfoot

PERIOD 2

2-2 Vernon Vipers at 1:14 (PP) - Colton McCarthy from Bo Pellah and Odeen Tufto

PERIOD 3

3-2 Coquitlam Express at 3:00 - Jackson Cressey from Cameron Bertsch and Jarell Pinchuk

3-3 Vernon Vipers at 14:49 - Joe Sacco from Hunter Zandee and Jagger Williamson

OVERTIME PERIOD 1

4-3 Coquitlam Express at 2:41 - Austin McIlmurray (unassisted)

STARS OF THE GAME
1st STAR	2nd STAR	3rd STAR
Coquitlam Express Jackson Cressey	Coquitlam Express Austin McIlmurray	Vernon Vipers Riley Brandt

POWER PLAYS
Coquitlam Express	1 for 4 (25.0%)
Vernon Vipers	2 for 6 (33.3%)

The only difference between a victory and a loss tonight was Tyger Howat.  He was an honorable mention for a star, but the man who scores the game winner and Jackson Cressey wiped that chance out.  The Vipers continue to improve on a game to game basis.  From a consistency standpoint, this was their best effort.  They didn't offer up much to the Express, but Coquitlam capitalized on the few they had.

The Vipers will continue to try build in a positive direction when they host the Chilliwack Chiefs Saturday night at KTP.  You can hear all the action on FastHockey and 107.5 KissFM in Vernon.