Game 13 - Vipers 5 Smokies 1

The Vernon Vipers were coming off a very disappointing effort against the Prince George Spruce Kings a few games before.  How would they respond?  To answer that question one who have to look to the goal crease.  Andrew Shortridge has been playing some of his best hockey in his last 4 starts and continued that hot play into Wednesday Nights matchup.  Also, three new look forward groups would get a chance to generate some chemistry and for the most part was successful, before being jumbled back to normal for the third period.  In the end the Vipers were able to capitalize on their scoring chances and with the great play of Shortridge, win 5-1 over the Smokies.

The first period was very balanced.  The Smokies had 15 shots, but a good number of them were slow rollers from center or shots from the outside.  Each team had 4 scoring chances in the frame and both goaltenders were spot on.  The Vipers have tried to simplify their game on multiple occasions, but at times aren't able to do that.  Joe Sacco would change that as he shot a puck from the red line and the rebound bounced right in front to Colton McCarthy and he slapped home the loose puck to make it 1-0 late in the first.  That would be the score after 20 minutes.

The Smokies continued to up the ante in terms of skating and their physical play.  At times the Vipers seemed to lack energy.  They would get some thanks to a nifty powerplay goal from Joe Sacco who redirected a point shot from Mitch Oliver to make it 2-0.  Both teams had a couple of powerplays and couldn't convert and again the goaltending was very solid.  Overall, the Vipers were doing just enough to hold onto a 2 goal lead.  The Smokies still looked as if they were going to give the Snakes some trouble after 40 minutes.

Nick Deschenes said his team has been playing pretty well, but at times have small breakdowns that result in goals.  Unfortunately for the Smokies, thats exactly what happened as Riley Brandt would steal a puck and score to make it 3-0.  Just 14 seconds later the Vipers would get a 3 on 1 and Liam Finlay would score a strange spin-o-rama goal to amek it 4-0.  The Smokies would get one back after a misplayed 4 on 2 for the Vipers, led to a 2 on 1 for the Smokies and Cooper Leitch would finish off a nice pass from John Laurito.  Jimmy Lambert scored with 2 seconds left to seal it 5-1.

Here is the official scoring summary:

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

1-0 Vernon Vipers at 16:56 - Colton McCarthy from Joe Sacco

PERIOD 2

2-0 Vernon Vipers at 7:07 (PP) - Joe Sacco from Mitchell Oliver and Riley Brandt

PERIOD 3

3-0 Vernon Vipers at 8:41 - Riley Brandt from Darren Rizzolo

4-0 Vernon Vipers at 8:55 - Liam Finlay from Odeen Tufto and Steven Jandric

4-1 Trail Smoke Eaters at 13:57 - Cooper Leitch from John Laurito and Rhett Willcox

5-1 Vernon Vipers at 19:58 - Jimmy Lambert from Colton McCarthy

STARS OF THE GAME
1st STAR	2nd STAR	3rd STAR
Vernon Vipers Riley Brandt	Vernon Vipers Andrew Shortridge	Vernon Vipers Joe Sacco

SHOTS	1	2	3	TOTAL
Trail Smoke Eaters	15	13	14	42
Vernon Vipers	10	11	13	34

POWER PLAYS
Trail Smoke Eaters	0 for 2 (00.0%)
Vernon Vipers	1 for 3 (33.3%)

For the Vipers they'd be happy with the win.  However the wins cover up some issues with the club.  There was a real lack of intensity through a good chuck of this game.  Had it not been for the play of Shortridge, the Smokies very well could've had this game closer.  The Vipers lost quite a few puck battles in their own zone, but a bright spot was the way they moved the puck out of their own end.  No easy task with the two man forecheck Trail was sending.

Overall a win is a win, but with a big month full of home games, the intensity has to be picked up.

Next up for the Vipers is a home date with the Merritt Centennials on Friday night.