Vernon, BC: Connor Sleeth scored his 3rd of the season and James Porter Jr. was outstanding stopping 32 of 34 shots, but it would the Langley Rivermen who would prevail 3-1 at Kal Tire Place on Saturday night.
The Vipers had two consecutive good shifts to get the game underway. Following a scramble in front of the Langley goal, a shot would be blocked and the Riv were sprung on a two on one. It was Tristan Fraser setting up Brendan Budy and he made no mistake beating a sprawling Porter Jr. to make it 1-0. That goal seemed to give Langley momentum as they were able generate some shifts that resulted in time of possession. Late in the period the Vipers responded off the rush as Connor Sleeth finished off a 3 on 2 in front to make it 1-1 after 1.
In the second period, each time had a pair of powerplays. Both penalty kills were solid and a lot of it had to do with the goaltending, both Porter Jr. and Lyon were dialed in. Neither team could get their shots cleanly through as both teams blocked a ton of attempts at the net. Langley would end the period leading in shots, but after 40 still tied at 1.
In the third, the Vipers had a costly turnover and Riley Wallack would snipe one off the goal post and in to give the visitors the a 2-1 lead. The Vipers pushed the pace in the last half of the period, but were the victims of a couple of shots that hit the goal post. Hunter Donohoe hit the cross bar on a chance and late in regulation time Matt Kowalski hit the post with the goalie pulled. Following the goal post, Brendan Budy would hit the empty net to give Langley the 3-1 win.
The Vipers are next in action Friday night when the Surrey Eagles come to town for a 7pm puck drop at Kal Tire Place
