Vernon, BC: Following a very heartfelt and emotional ceremony, honouring the late Vipers Owner Duncan Wray, the Vernon Vipers came out with a very strong performance, tallied 3 powerplay goals and took down the Cranbrook Bucks 3-1.
Special Teams was ultimately the difference in the hockey game as all the offence for both teams were manufactured on the powerplays.
Isaac Tremblay and Erik Pastro each had two points to help pace the squad. Tremblay got the scoring started in the first period with a nice shot from the circle. Erik Pastro and Connor Elliott assisted on the goal, fitting that two Vernon products assisted on the first goal of the game.
Adam Csabi scored for the second time in as many games as he buried the game winner late in regulation. The product of Czechi has two powerplay goals in two games.
Hank Cleaves iced the insurance marker after a great pass from Owen Kim out of the left corner.
“The atmosphere with the fans and everyone involved make the environment fun to play in. It compares to none other,” says Cleaves. “It was a special night honouring former owner Duncan Wray and it was awesome to get the win for him in front of everyone.”
Ethan David was excellent in goal on back to back nights. The 20-year old goaltender made 24 saves on 25 shots including a big save in the 3rd to keep the game tied.
The penalty kill was sensational again against a dynamic Cranbrook powerplay. Ultimately they’d kill of 3 of 4. The powerplay was excellent going 3 for 6, which early on in the season puts them in the top 3 in the BCHL.
“The group understood the importance of tonight, that the game was much bigger than themselves,” says Assistant Coach Colton Sparrow. “They played for the city and the logo they wore. That one was Duncan and he would have been very proud.”
Colton Sparrow played played four years with his home town Vipers from 2010-2014.
Bryce Sookro had the lone goal for Cranbrook. Noah Urness had a really good chance to tie up the game in the first period with a penalty shot, but clanked the iron.
Carter Capton was solid in the Cranbrook goal stopping 27 of 30.
The Vipers are next in action Friday night when they host the Merritt Centennials at 7pm.
