Game 6 - Wild 3 Vipers 2

In the first ever matchup between the Vernon Vipers and Wenatchee Wild, it was the cross border expansion club that took the first W, in a hard fought game that saw speed, skill and physicality.  This matchup started with intensity and finished with a little nastiness as both teams were pushing the limits and boundaries.  In the end, it was the second period that was the Viper undoing, despite a valiant push back in the finals minutes.

The Wenatchee Wild are a puck possession team, that was evident from the drop of the puck as they moved and cycled and outchanced the Vipers in the opening period.  The only benefit to the Wild having the puck was the Vipers ability to lay on the physical game with a number of bone jarring hits.  Jarrod Schamerhorn was very strong, especially in the opening period keeping the game scoreless after 1, despite the Vipers being outshot 13-2.

It took one shift from the Viper top line to open the scoring in the second period as Steven Jandric finished off an NHL calibre passing play just 46 seconds in.  The pace picked up and so did the hitting as both teams started throwing their weight around.  The Wild would tie the game up on a well executed 3 on 2 as Troy Conzo would score to make it 1-1.  Just 47 seconds later the Wild would add another from behind the net as Hunter Alden would get credit for his first BCHL goal.  At the tail end of a 5 on 3 powerplay Tyler Rockwell's point shot would find its way through traffic late in the period to give Wenatchee a 3-1 lead.

The Vipers refused to go away and despite being shorthanded for a good portion of the period still managed to make it a one goal game as Jimmy Lambert tipped in a point shot off the stick of Mitch Oliver.  It was too little too late however and the Wild would remain undefeated by games end, 3-2 the final.

Here is the official scoring summary:

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

No Scoring

PERIOD 2

1-0 Vernon Vipers at 0:46 - Steven Jandric from Liam Finlay and Odeen Tufto

1-1 Wenatchee Wild at 13:42 - Troy Conzo from Joseph Drabin and Alex Bates

2-1 Wenatchee Wild at 14:29 - Hunter Alden from Brandon Puricelli

3-1 Wenatchee Wild at 18:43 (PP) - Tyler Rockwell from Bryon Yoon

PERIOD 3

3-2 Vernon Vipers at 18:42 - Jimmy Lambert from Bo Pellah and Mitchell Oliver

STARS OF THE GAME
1st STAR	2nd STAR	3rd STAR
Wenatchee Wild Hunter Alden	Wenatchee Wild Austin Chavez	Vernon Vipers Jarrod Schamerhorn

POWER PLAYS
Vernon Vipers	0 for 2 (00.0%)
Wenatchee Wild	1 for 8 (12.5%)

The Vipers at times felt like their were fighting an uphill battle.  Were they guilty of as many penalties as they took, most likely yes, but only 2 powerplays hurt their ability to generate momentum of their own.

In goal Chase Perry was as advertised. Not overly busy, but made two game savers as well as getting some help from his goalpost.  Jarrod Schamerhorn impressed making a number of big saves and really managing his rebounds.

Aside from the Viper homeopener, their 3 losses have been in one goal games.  That is not a sign to panic by any means.  The team is still learning and developing.  Keeping it close and working hard will pay dividends for this team in the upcoming months.

Next up for the Vipers is a Sunday morning matchup against the Cowichan Valley Capitals.  You can hear the pregame show on 107.5 KissFM or watch on Fasthockey starting at 9:45.