Vipers Win Key Battle With Penticton:

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Vipers win key battle with Penticton

by Don Klepp Added 2010-02-13

An old-fashioned hockey battle between the Penticton Vees and the host Vernon Vipers resulted in a solid Viper 5-3 victory.

The game featured classy goals, intense end-to-end action, and a playoff atmosphere throughout.
Mostly, though, the game featured crushing hits, lots of hits. The Vipers registered a season high 49, while the Vees responded with 26.

That trend started on the first shift – Kellen Jones and Connor Jones each slammed a Vee defenceman. It continued all first period as the Vipers threw 18 big hits at their Okanagan rivals.

The Jones twins also figured in the first goal, at 3:52. Kevin Kraus moved the puck to Connor, whose shot caromed off Matt Paltridge directly to Kellen. His quick slapper found the lower left corner behind a screened Sean Bonar.

The Vipers increased their lead to 3-0 with two power play goals in the second period. Both resulted from excellent puck movement. Mike Collins notched the first at 6:38 when he took a point feed from Dan Nycholat and went down “Collins Lane” (just inside the right faceoff circle) and beat Bonar.

Two minutes later, Cole Ikkala deflected a Connor Jones shot through a crowd in front to delight the home crowd of 2432. It looked like the Vipers were well on their way.

However, talented Vees rookie Joey Laleggia had other ideas. From just inside the Viper blue line, he ripped a shot over Blake Voth’s shoulder to reduce the deficit to two goals.

The Jones twins restored the three-goal cushion on a superb play by Kellen. David Robinson created a turnover at centre and fed Kellen on the left wing to create a two-on-one rush. Kellen looked to drive the net, but was cut off, so he spun back to his left and whipped a backhand pass to Connor who beat Bonar five-hole.

From the Viper viewpoint, referee Jim Maniago got too involved in the game’s outcome in the third period by calling two marginal penalties that gave the Vees a five-on-three power play at 11:59.

The Vees’ potent power play had been stymied by the Vipers league-leading PK on three previous man advantages in the game, but it found new life with the two-man advantage. Beau Bennett’s clever back pass as he swooped behind the Viper net found Garrett Milan for a one-timer at 13:51.

Bennett, the BCHL’s top scoring rookie then scored on the continuing five-on-four. The referee ignored Ben Sexton’s cross check on Rob Short along the Viper back boards. Sexton then fed Laleggia, who in turn found Bennett for the slick L.A. native’s 22nd power play goal of the year.

Bennett’s high wrist shot at 13:51 made the score 4-3, to create an exciting finish. However, the Vipers tightened their defence and continued to punish the Vees with strong body checking. Connor Jones leveled Andrew Pickering with a thunderous shoulder to shoulder hit at 17:35.

As Connor went to the back boards to battle for the loose puck, he was met by three angry Vees. In the scrum, the Bo Dolan and Ben Sexton drew roughing penalties along with Viper David Robinson.

Off the ensuing faceoff, the Vees’ Logan Johnston jumped Cole Ikkala and the two engaged in a spirited scrap. Johnston got an extra two minutes for instigating to put the Vees down by two players.

The action then moved to the players’ benches. After the referee refused to grant Coach Fred Harbinson’s request for a discussion, Harbinson moved down the bench toward the Vipers and he and Coach Mark Ferner had an angry exchange. When the referee regained control, he tossed both coaches.

Back on the ice, the Vees withstood the Viper five-on-three pressure until 19:27, when Braden Pimm’s wicked slapper beat Bonar just inside the goalie’s right post.

With 11 seconds remaining in the game, Joey Holka challenged Kevin Kraus for a fight won by the Viper Captain.

The two teams will resume their rivalry on Wednesday in Penticton. In the meantime, each team will play Prince George. Vernon greets the Spruce Kings on Saturday and Penticton hosts PG on Sunday.

The Vipers now lead Penticton by four points in the race for first place in the Interior Division. Each team has five games remaining: Penticton plays all its remaining games at home, while Vernon plays three on the road.

Game Notes:

• With the five goals, the Vipers matched the number they had scored on Bonar in the previous four meetings with the Vees this season.

• Joey Laleggia extended his points scoring streak to 16 games, during which he has recorded 23 points.

• Connor Jones tallied a goal and two assists to assume the team scoring leadership with 75 points.