The Vernon Vipers melted away a 3-0 lead to the Coquitlam Express in Game 1 of the Fred Page Cup. The Vipers dropped the opener of the B.C. Hockey League finals 6-4 at Kal Tire Place.
The Vipers started the game as if they were shot out of a cannon.
Brendan Persley scored his eighth of the playoffs 40 seconds into the game. Josh Bryan and Jared Wilson picked up assists in front of 2,000 fans.
Brett Mulcahy continued his hot playoffs when he scored from Colton Sparrow and Persley 3:05 into the first.
Demico Hannoun scored his third of the playoffs on a 2-on-1 rush from Dexter Dancs and Michael McNicholas, giving the Vipers a 3-0 lead at recess.
“The first period was good, but the rest wasn’t,” said Vipers’ head coach Jason Williamson. “We started to cheat and against a team like that, they are going to make you pay.”
The Express turned the tables on the Vipers in the second. The Express responded with three unanswered goals of their own.
Bo Pieper got his first of four on the night from Daniell Lange and Zach Hodder 2:58 into the second.
Pieper struck again, this time on the powerplay from Jace Hennig and Hodder.
“We had a big adjustment from playing in front of this crowd two weeks ago. Some of our guys were a bit intimidated last time but they battled through it tonight,” said Express head coach, Barry Wolff.
With just over one minute remaining in the period, Corey Mackin won a foot race on the penalty kill, tying it up at three.
Mason Blacklock retook the lead for the Vipers 3:04 into the third from Hannoun.
Pieper scored the game-tying goal and eventual winner in the third. The tying goal game from Canon Pieper at 6:40 with winner coming from Mark Whiteley and Canon Pieper two minutes later.
Mackin put the game on ice with nine minutes left in the game. Hodder registered his third assist of the night on the goal.
The shots were at 35-35.
“We need to go out there, get pucks in deep and put some pressure on their defence. We need to out work them tomorrow,” said Persley.
Game 2 goes 7 p.m. Saturday night at Kal Tire Place.
See Sunday’s Morning Star for more details.
