Parm Dhaliwal scored 48 seconds into overtime as the West Kelowna Warriors clipped the Vernon Vipers 4-3 in B.C. Hockey League play before 1,380 fans Wednesday night at Kal Tire Place.
Dhaliwal converted from five feet in front of Vernon goalie Darion Hanson. Braiden Epp, who was first star with 1+2, and Chase Dubois, pocketed assists on Dhaliwal’s fourth tally of the season.
The Warriors, who led 3-1 at the midway point of the first period, improved to 23-22-2-0, alone in fourth place in the Interior Division. The second-place Vipers dipped to 26-15-5-4, seven points back of the Penticton Vees, 4-2 winners over the host Merritt Centennials.
Connor Sodergren supplied his 22nd snipe of the season 4:22 after the national anthem. Epp and d-man Jake Harrison drew helpers.
The Vipers equalized 49 seconds later with Steven Jandric going top cheddar from a near impossible angle on former teammate Cole Demers, who had stoned Jandric on a clear deke seconds earlier. Jimmy Lambert and blueliner Shane Kelly earned assists.
Epp, with his 11th, on a strong push down the right sidewall, and Quin Foreman, with his 22nd on a floater which glanced in off Hanson’s glove, moved the Warriors in front three minutes apart.
Vernon head coach Mark Ferner called a timeout after the Warriors connected on three of their first seven shots, and the move settled the Snakes down.
Austin Adamson went top shelf with 5:15 left in the first period after Ryan Brushett stripped the puck off West Kelowna d-man Michael Ryan just a few feet from Demers’ doorstep.
Niko Karamanis registered his 17th goal of the year from the right hashmarks to level things at 3:13 of the middle stanza. Brushett and Luke Gingras garnered assists.
Hanson, named BCHL player of the week, stoned Foreman with just under four minutes remaining in the second period as Foreman and Dubois worked a 2-on-1. Hanson did likewise to Stephen Kleysen late in the third.
Demers, who was coming off a rough road trip last weekend, recorded 35 saves. He stymied Jesse Lansdell in the mid slot with 7:50 left in the third after a nifty feed by Jagger Williamson.
The Warriors were without six regulars due to injuries and suspensions so summoned Tyler Chavez-Leech, Jon Van Der Molen and Connor Horning from Junior B and Midget.
