It was a game of bounces and the Penticton Vees earned one more than the Vernon Vipers Friday night at Kal Tire Place.
The Vees converted goals 63 seconds apart in the second period to outlast the Vipers 2-1 in an Interior showdown in front of 1,900 B.C. Hockey League fans at Kal Tire Place.
The Vipers, who slipped to third in the Interior at 21-12-3-4, opened the scoring late in the first frame when Mason Blacklock fired one into an open net. Vernon had Penticton’s defence scrambling on the play, and netminder Hunter Miska was caught out of position.
Nicolas Pierog, recently acquired from the Surrey Eagles, responded for the league co-leading Vees (26-9-2-3), with 5:31 to go in period two. Erik Benoit, banking his wraparound attempt off Vernon d-man Kenny Citron and past netminder Danny Todosychuk, supplied the winner.
Miska finished with 30 saves for third star in the fast-paced, entertaining tilt. Todosychuk rated second star with 33 stops.
Vernon hosts the Coquitlam Express (18-17-1-3) Saturday.
Check out Sunday sports in the Morning Star for more details from Friday’s action.
