The last time the Penticton Vees fired two quick goals against the Vernon Vipers, they snuck out of Kal Tire Place with a 2-1 win.
The Vees’ rapid-fire offence clicked again Friday night in Vernon, producing snipes just eight seconds apart. Only this time they went on to punish the Snakes 6-1 in front of nearly 1,900 B.C. Hockey League fans, some of whom headed for the exits with half a period remaining.
Cody DePourcq paced the Penticton attack with a pair, including the winner on a weak shot from the blueline that fooled netminder Austin Smith with 5:08 to play in period one. Erik Benoit had recorded one of the Vees’ two powerplay goals just eight seconds earlier. Penticton went 2-for-3 on the man advantage, while holding Vernon scoreless on their three cracks at the powerplay.
Benoit and Shane McColgan, both WHL free agents who signed with the Interior Division-leading Vees (28-11-2-4) earlier this month, each finished with a goal and assist, helping their team snap a three-game losing streak.
Jarod Hilderman, with his first-ever BCHL goal, made it 3-0 for the visitors early in the second period on a bad-angle shot from the corner that somehow redirected past Smith.
Second-year Vipers’ forward Logan Mick gave Vernon a glimmer of hope as he crashed Olivier Mantha’s crease to bury the rebound off a Demico Hannoun backhander, but snipes later in the second frame by McColgan and DePourcq put the game out of reach.
Smith struggled after the two-goal blitz and was pulled after DePourcq’s second tally. He allowed five goals on 20 shots. Danny Todosychuk gave up one goal to Josh Blanchard in facing a dozen shots. Mantha made 31 saves for his 15th win.
The Vipers are third in the Interior Division at 23-15-3-5, but are 3-6-0-1 in their last 10 outings. They visit the fifth-place Merritt Centennials (22-18-3-1) Saturday at Nicola Valley Arena.
Check out Sunday sports in the Morning Star for a recap of Friday’s action.
