Liam Coughlin scored on a powerplay two minutes into the third period to help the Vernon Vipers salvage a 3-3 tie with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks Saturday night at Kal Tire Place.
Playing in front of their families for parents’ weekend, the Snakes turned in a much better effort than the one they put forth in Friday’s 2-1 B.C. Hockey League loss to the Gorillas at the Shaw Centre.
Anthony Latina, clicking on a man advantage 1:17 into the game, and Thomas Aldworth, with a wicked post-and-in blast past netminder Angus Redmond midway through period one, accounted for the rest of Vernon’s offence in front of 2,000 fans.
The ‘Backs got one snipe from ex-Viper Logan Mick just over two minutes after Latina’s goal. The visitors took the lead with second-period markers from Karl El-Mir and Carson Bolduc, on the powerplay.
Redmond recorded 33 stops for Salmon Arm. Aside from Mick’s goal, a five-hole snipe from his off-wing, netminder Jarrod Schamerhorn was rock-steady in earning third star for the Vipers with 38 saves, the best of which came in double-OT.
Saturday’s result was just the second draw in the league this season. The Vipers wore camouflage jerseys in honour of Remembrance Day.
Vernon (9-6-1-1) is tied with the Merritt Centennials (10-8) for third in the Interior. The ‘Backs (7-7-1-4) are fifth.
The Vipers visit the sixth-place Trail Smoke Eaters (8-8) Sunday afternoon at Cominco Arena.
Check out Wednesday sports in The Morning Star for a full rundown of the Vipers’ weekend action.
