Viper Comeback Nets Point In Merritt:

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Viper Comeback Nets Point In Merritt
 
Saturday, February 16, 2013 - Submitted by Don Klepp

Third period goals by Mike Roberts and Brendan Persley sent the Vipers to overtime in Merritt, but Sebastien Pare’s OT winner delivered the extra point to the home team in a 4-3 thriller.

Trailing 2-1 going into the third period, the Vipers sagged a bit after Diego Cuglietta outworked a Viper D-man and went in to deke Austin Smith for a 3-1 lead, at 2:40.

Still, the Vipers gamely hung on and received a new lease on life when Michael Roberts scored 10 minutes later. His low slap shot from just inside the offensive blue line seemed to dip slightly as it reached Tyler Steel in the Merritt net.

During the Vipers’ goal celebration, Merritt’s John Saunders was assessed a roughing penalty for taking a swipe at Brendan Persley. Saunders was to rue his indiscretion when Persley tipped Brett Corkey’s point shot past Steel 36 seconds into the power play.

Sebastien Pare was the only top six forward for either team to score in the contest when he deposited the rebound of Diego Cuglietta’s shot past Smith at 3:28 of the first overtime session.

Fourth-liners Sam Johnson and Bennett Huber gave the Cents a 2-1 lead in the second period after a scoreless opening stanza. Huber’s strike was a thing of beauty as he took a diagonal clearing pass from Dylan Chanter, took three strides across the Viper line and blasted a shot top corner past Austin Smith’s catching glove.

Between the Merritt goals, Liam Board pulled the Vipers even at 1-1 when he flipped in a puck from the left side of Steel’s crease.

Although the final shot totals favoured the Centennials, 35-29, the contest was evenly played throughout. Each team generated 15 scoring chances.

Despite the lack of scoring in the opening 20 minutes, it featured perhaps the contest's best hockey as the action surged back and forth, with both teams liberally laying on the body. The Vipers registered 22 hits in the period, while 15 hits were credited to the Cents.

With the single point, the Vipers gained precious ground on the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in the race for the final playoff spot in the Interior Division. The Silverbacks fell 2-1 to Penticton, their fifth straight loss. Their lead over the Vipers has shrunk from 11 points to 7, and the Vipers have two games in hand.

Meanwhile, Trail crept two points closer with a 5-4 overtime home win over the Cowichan Valley Capitals who will visit Vernon Saturday evening.