Second-period goals five minutes apart from Ty Amonte and Taylor Ward propelled the visiting Penticton Vees to a 3-1 win over the Vernon Vipers in B.C. Hockey League action Saturday at Kal Tire Place.
The win gives the Vees a split of the weekend home-and-home series, each team winning on the road.
The game honoured First Responders in the North Okanagan, drawing Vernon’s largest home crowd of the season to date – 2,624.
It was the Vipers who responded with a powerplay goal from defenceman Carter Stephenson at 9:28 of the opening period.
Vernon looked to be taking a 1-0 lead into the dressing room before a great forecheck from the Vees led to Grant Cruikshank firing in his 17th goal at 18:59 to tie the contest.
Amonte scored the eventual winner at 7:27 of the middle frame, taking a nice pass from Nicholas Jones and beating Vernon goalie Ty Taylor.
Ward would add the insurance at 12:26 when defenceman Jonny Tychonic’s point shot hit a Vipers’ stick and went right to Ward who fired it past Taylor.
Each team had five shots in the third period in which there was no scoring.
Penticton outshot Vernon 27-26 with Mat Robson picking up the win.
The Vees improve to 19-4-0 atop the Interior Division, while the Vipers remain in third place at 10-11-2.