Vipers end 6 game losing streak

Special teams helped the Vernon Vipers end a six-game winless streak and move two points clear of the Interior Division cellar with a 5-1 home ice win over the Chilliwack Chiefs.

Photo: Contributed

Pearce Eviston scored twice in Vernon's 5-1 win Saturday night.

Vipers Coach Jason Williamson says his team killing off a 74-second five-on-three Chief's power play midway through the first period was a key factor in the game.

“You have to build off kills like that, and we did. Even though we let up a bit at the beginning of the second period, we stuck to the game plan. Pearce Eviston’s goal at the end of the second rewarded our effort.”

The Vipers opened the scoring just 2:32 into the game on the power play. Pearce Eviston found TJ Dumonceaux in the slot and Dumonceaux beat Mitch Gillam with a quick wrister.

Shots were even after 20 minutes, but the Vipers looked more dangerous.

The Chiefs dominated play in the second period, finally evening things at 1 when Shay Laurent lifted the puck over the sprawled Austin Smith at 11:09.

The Vipers would take over from there.

Leading the charge, 16-year-old Logan Mick stole the puck at the Chilliwack backboards and fed Pearce Eviston in the slot for a one-timer at 19:01.

Up 2-1 heading into the third, the Vipers used an increasingly aggressive forecheck, a strategy paid off with a Jedd Soleway tap in.

Adam Tambellini, who had three points in the third, rifled in a one-timer during a Viper five-on-three power play and Eviston scored again late in the period after a strong forecheck by Mick and Tambellini.

That newly-formed line accounted for eight points in the game, justifying Williamson’s decision to move Mick from the fourth line to the first line.

“He plays with a lot of energy and makes good plays,” says Williamson.

The Vipers will conclude a three-game home stand next Friday against Nanaimo while the Chiefs, who had won six of eight road games before Saturday’s contest, will continue their Interior swing next weekend with stops in Trail and Penticton. 

--with files from Don Klepp