Brett Stapley pulled the hat trick as the Vernon Vipers ambushed the Trail Smoke Eaters 7-1 in B.C Hockey League action Saturday night before 2,122 fans at Kal Tire Place.
Steven Jandric supplied 2+1, while Jimmy Lambert pocketed three assists, giving the Vipers’ top line 10 points in their final regular-season game. Jandric was Vernon’s leading scorer on the year with 27 goals and 51 points.
Vernon, who finished second in the Interior Division so receive a first-round playoff bye, open the post-season at home Friday, March 17.
The Smokies ended up third, two points ahead of the West Kelowna Warriors and Merritt Centennials. Trail begins a best-of-seven series Friday night against the sixth-place Salmon Arm Silverbacks. The Warriors and Cents play Game 1 in their series Friday night in West Kelowna.
Vernon will play the highest seed remaining following the opening round. The Vipers finished 30-19-5-4, sixth overall in the 17-team BCHL. The Wenatchee Wild were tops overall at 45-9-4-0.
The Wild face the Prince George Spruce Kings, while the Chilliwack Chiefs meet the Langley Rivermen, the Victoria Grizzlies battle the Nanaimo Clippers and the Victoria Grizzlies tangle with the Cowichan Valley Capitals in other first-round series.
Las Vegas product Brendan Harris of Wenatchee won the points derby with 23 goals and 98 points, while teammate Charlie Combs of St. Louis was the king with 52 and 84 points. Both players have NCAA scholarships with Bemidji State Beavers of Minnesota.
Ryan Brushett and Jagger Williamson also scored for the Vipers, who got two assists from defenceman Cameron Trott. Luke Santerno replied for the Smokies (26-26-5-1). D Michael Ufberg collected one helper to finish with 37 points, tops among Viper blueliners.
Ty Taylor registered 33 saves while improving to 13-12. He sported a 2.96 GAA. Zach Dyment allowed seven goals on 34 shots before being relieved by Linden Marshall.
Winger Brody Dale was chosen Vernon’s Fortis Energy Player of the Game. Viper forward Jesse Lansdell took on Kyle Chernenkoff 5:14 into the third period in the game’s only scrap.
Vernon held period leads of 2-1 and 4-1. The Vipers honoured goalie Darion Hanson as their MVP in a post-game, on-ice awards ceremony.
Veteran Elijiah Barriga bagged three goals as Salmon Arm brushed back West Kelowna 5-3 Saturday night before 1,226 fans at the Shaw Centre. Barriga completed his hat trick with an empty-netter with 59 seconds remaining for his 30th snipe of the season.
