Vees Break Vipers' Streak:

Vees break Vipers' streak

by Don Klepp -Oct 4, 2009

The Vernon Viper 18-game winning streak (going back to the 2009 playoffs) has been halted by a determined Penticton Vee squad. Despite being out shot 34 to 15, the Penticton Vees beat the Vernon Vipers 2-0 in Vernon Saturday night. Sean Bonar was solid in the Penticton goal, but he received a lot of help from his defence and forwards, who worked tirelessly to prevent Viper second chances. Bonar allowed few rebounds, but when he did, Vee skaters were on hand to tie up Viper sticks. In the neutral zone, the Vees kept their sticks in passing lanes, and in the defensive zone the Vees blocked dozens of Viper shots. Viper coach Jason Williamson credited the Vees’ effort, saying that they played “a perfect road game,” but added, “essentially we beat ourselves tonight. We played well defensively, holding them to 15 shots, but our shooting wasn’t sharp and we gifted them two goals.” Williamson was referring to blue line turnovers. In the second period, with the Vipers on the power play, a mix-up between Connor Jones and Kevin Kraus at the Vee blue line allowed Denver Manderson to skate away with the puck. Connor caught up with Manderson at the Viper blue line, but another Vee shouldered Connor aside, allowing Manderson to rip a wrist shot past Graeme Gordon at 16.58. Penticton got an insurance goal early in the third period. Alex Szczechura caused a turnover at the Viper blue line and went in with Joey Holka, who accepted Szczechura’s feed and beat Gordon at 1.53. The Vipers nearly got on the score sheet in the third Mike Collins rang a rising wrist shot off the post and Kellen Jones missed the far corner by a whisker while on a short handed 2 on 1 rush with brother Connor. Meanwhile, the Vees had their own near misses. In the first period, Joey Holka hit the post off a faceoff scramble in the second period, Beau Bennett missed an open net from 10 feet during a Vee power play. Neither team was able to convert their power play chances. The Vipers failed on 7 power man advantage opportunities, while the Vees were 0 for 5. With the win, the Vees extend their lead over the Vipers to 4 points in the standings, although the Vipers have three games in hand. The two teams will resume their rivalry in Penticton next Friday.