Game 14 - Vipers 3 Centennials 0

It was the Andrew Shortridge show on Friday night at Kal Tire Place as he turned aside all 46 shots he faced as the Vipers took on the Merritt Centennials in front of 1786 fans.  The Vipers would score 3 hard working goals, their penalty kill shone bright and despite a valiant attempt from the Centennials, the Vipers would take the game 3-0.

It was a very tight first period in regards to a high number of scoring chances.  The Centennials very rarely get outworked and that was the case again here tonight.  The Vipers however were able to match the intensity at times.  Shots were 14 a piece after 1 period with each team getting 4 scoring chances.

The second period has been the Vipers Achilles heel this season, and the Centennials didn't help that by really pushing the pace, getting pucks deep and forechecking with tenacity.  The Vipers were hemmed in their own zone a number of times.  Against the flow of momentum, Joe Sacco would open the scoring as a shot from redline would elude Cole Kehler to make it 1-0.  Then the Vipers found themselves in penalty trouble as Riley Brandt was assessed a 5 minute major for charging.  The Cents had a number of chances on the man advantage, but had their shots blocked, or stopped by Andrew Shortridge.  The Cents would get 2 more powerplays late in the period and again the Viper PK was up to the challenge.  The shots were 32-23 in favour of Merritt after 40 minutes, but the Vipers led 1-0.

The Vipers would keep it simple in the third as Joe Sacco would wire a low shot at the far pad of Kehler to have the rebound kicked right to Hunter Zandee who made no mistake and the Vipers led 2-0.  The Cents continued to push hard down by 2, but again couldn't get anything through Andrew Shortridge.  The Vipers would get another one 8 minutes later as Odeen Tufto put home a rebound to make it 3-0.  The Cents did everything in their power to try break the shutout bid, by Shortridge, including getting a late powerplay in the final minutes, but could crack Shortridge and the Vipers would hold on for a 3-0 win.

Here is the official scoring summary:

SCORING SUMMARY

PERIOD 1

No Scoring

PERIOD 2

1-0 Vernon Vipers at 9:47 - Joe Sacco from Hunter Zandee and Jimmy Lambert

PERIOD 3

2-0 Vernon Vipers at 3:37 - Hunter Zandee from Joe Sacco and Darren Rizzolo

3-0 Vernon Vipers at 11:24 - Odeen Tufto from Steven Jandric and Liam Finlay

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

SHOTS	1	2	3	TOTAL
Merritt Centennials	14	18	14	46
Vernon Vipers	14	9	8	31

POWER PLAYS
Merritt Centennials	0 for 5 (00.0%)
Vernon Vipers	0 for 2 (00.0%)

There is no secret to the Vipers success right now, Andrew Shortridge.  He has stopped 87 of 88 shots and had it not been for an ill advised 4 on 2 rush that hung Shortirdge out to dry at the other end, he could've had back to back shutouts.  He's an interesting character on the ice.  Super competitive, but calm, collected and extremely confident in his ability.  At times it looked like he was challenging the Cents to try and beat him.  He is instilling a ton of confidence in his team who now know they can rely on the goaltender to bail them out if they make mistakes.

Hunter Zandee and Joe Sacco had their best games in Viper uniforms getting a goal and an assist.  They play a simple game, but sometimes simple it the best plan of attack for success.

The Vipers will now head to Merritt for the back half of a home and home set.  You can catch the game on 107.5 KissFM or on Fast Hockey starting at 7:15