Vipers Fade In Third, Again:

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Vipers fade in third, again

by Don Klepp | Added 2010-11-17

In a trend that distresses the Vernon Viper coaches, the Vipers once again surrendered three late goals, as they lost in Powell River, 5-2.

The Kings took a 2-0 lead in the first period, thanks to a pair of greasy goals by Carter Shinkaruk and Daniel Schuler.

After a mostly defensive first period, at 17:05 Shinkaruk had a rebound bounce off his chest, past Blake Voth after Cohen Adair had fired into a crowd of players at the Viper crease.

As the period drew to a close, Schuler forced his way to the net during a Kings’ power play. He batted in a rebound of a Justin Dasilva shot at 19:50.

The Vipers bounced back with a strong second period in which they scored the only goal. On the power play, Adam Thompson sneaked in from the point and blasted the puck past Michael Garteig at 15:56. Dylan Walchuk and Bryce Kakoske drew assists on the play.

Another big shot allowed the Vipers to tie the score in the third period. At 1:13, Mike Zalewski stepped over the blue line and blew a slap shot over Garteig’s catching glove after John Knisley had moved the puck ahead to his big winger.

The tie lasted until 9:51, when Justin Dasilva’s point shot eluded Blake Voth. Then, 44 seconds later Matt Garbowsky combined with Dasilva and Chad Niddery to give the Kings some breathing room. Garbowsky tapped in a rebound after Dasilva’s shot caromed off someone in front.

Mike Sones added an empty net goal to complete the Vipers’ misery.

The third period letdown was the fourth time in the last five games that the Vipers have led or tied the game in the third, but have surrendered a flurry of goals to lose the game.

On November 5 in Merritt, they led 3-0 in the third, but the Centennials notched three third-period markers and an overtime winner. Last weekend, the Vipers surrendered two late leads to lose twice against Salmon Arm.