Vee Power Play Defeats Vipers:

This is posted on the Vipers website:

Vee Power Play Defeats Vipers
 
Saturday, January 26, 2013 - Submitted by Don Klepp

Despite a solid overall effort in Penticton on Friday, the Vipers surrendered power play goals to Jedd Soleway and Wade Murphy in a 3-1 loss.

The Vipers matched the Vees in total scoring chances and dominated the opening 10 minutes but were unable to solve goalie Chad Katunar in plays around the net. At the other end, Austin Smith had another strong game in the Viper net, especially in a run-and-gun second period.

Diminutive Cody DePourcq opened the scoring at 17:34 of the first period, collecting a puck at centre ice and scooting past Bryce Eviston on the left wing. DePourcq’s shot beat Smith high.

The Vipers did well to kill off two penalties in the first period but Jedd Soleway scored with Geoff Crisfield in the box at 5:25 of the second. After the Vipers failed on three clearing attempts, the ex-Viper swept through the left faceoff circle and unleashed a low shot just inside Smith’s right goal post.

On a similar play in the third period, Wade Murphy got away from TJ Dumonceaux along the left boards, cut into the slot and fired a bullet over Smith’s left shoulder.

Mason Blacklock gave his team reason to hope at 8:49 of the second period when his quick shot from the slot caught Katunar flat footed. Blacklock was set up by Liam Board, who won a race to the puck deep in the Vee zone and flicked a pass right onto Blacklock’s stick.

Several times in the middle frame, the Vipers set up shop in Penticton’s end. They created 9 scoring chances in the 20 minutes but were unable to score the equalizer.

The third period was different as the Vees battened down the hatches. The Vipers were credited with only three shots on goal in the period and none on a late power play.

On balance, the deciding factor in the contest was the Vees’ two power play goals on their third and fourth opportunities with the man advantage. During their two power plays the Vipers generated only one scoring chance.

Snake Bytes:

After a prolonged absence, Craig Martin returned to the Viper lineup. He didn’t get an opportunity to showcase his scoring skills, but he dished out several hits in one of his more physical games as a Viper.

Once again, scoring the first goal proved critical for both teams. The Vipers are 12-4-0-5 when scoring first and 1-17-0-2 when they do not. The Vees are just 9-9-0-1 when they surrender 7he first goal but a whopping 21-0-1-1 when they open the scoring.
Jason Bird and Braedan Russell sat out with injury.