The Vernon Vipers were still alone in first place in the B.C. Hockey League’s Interior Division entering a Saturday showdown at home with the scorching Penticton Vees.
Both teams won Friday: the Snakes went to Salmon Arm and tamed the Silverbacks 3-1 while the Vees, unbeaten in 13, won their 12th straight, 5-2 at home over the West Kelowna Warriors.
The Vees and Vipers meet at Kal Tire Place at 6 p.m. in the Vipers’ annual Kiss-FM Teddy Bear Toss Game. Penticton is two points back of the Vipers, and have won two of the four meetings between the rivals this season. The other two games ended in ties.
Vernon fell behind 1-0 in the first period Friday on a powerplay goal from Hudson Schandor, then Ty Taylor and the team shut the door the rest of the way.
Keyvan Mokhtari, with his 10th at 15:37 of the second period, and Chris Jandric with the powerplay winner at 17:59, his fourth on the year, gave the Vipers the lead. Sam Anzai sealed the two points with an empty net goal with five seconds remaining. Taylor finished with 21 saves.
Salmon Arm goalie Reid Cooper made 23 stops.
