With time winding down, the Penticton Valley First Vees found themselves clinging to a very precarious one goal lead. In the end, they just couldn't hold off the surging Vernon Vipers, who tallied twice in the dying minutes of regulation time for a 2-1 victory in Game Six of the Best-of-Seven Interior Conference Semi-Final Playoff Series, Saturday night at the Multi-Plex.
Austin Smith's first period goal from Brett Hextall looked as though it would stand up the entire contest. However, the Vipers tied things with only 3:22 remaining, before scoring the eventual game winner with just 1:04 left in the third period.
Alex Evin made 27 saves on 29 shots, including 12 in the final period, a period in which the Valley First Vees were completely dominated and outshot 14-2. Penticton made the mistake of trying to protect its slim 1-0 cushion for 20 minutes.
Both teams finished zero for three on the powerplay, in a game that sharply contrasted the penalty-filled affair just 24 hours previous at the south end of the valley.
With the Penticton Valley First Vees having seen their Three Games to One advantage quickly evaporate, it all boils down to a Seventh-and-Deciding Game, Tuesday night at 7:00 at the Memorial Arena.
The winner will advance to the Interior Conference Final against either the Westside Warriors or Salmon Arm SilverBacks. That series is also going to a Seventh Game to be played on Tuesday night in Westside.
SATURDAY NIGHT at VERNON
FINAL SCORE: VERNON – 2, PENTICTON – 1
Penticton 1 0 0 = 1
Vernon 0 0 2 = 2
Goals
Penticton: Austin Smith – 1 (3)
Vernon: Travis Brisebois – 1 (4), Greg Beller – 1/GWG (3)
Assists
Penticton: Brett Hextall – 1
Vernon: Travis Brisebois – 1, Scott Zurevinski – 1
Powerplays
Penticton: 0 for 3
Vernon: 0 for 3
Penalty Minutes
Penticton: 26 (Includes Two Misconducts)
Vernon: 26 (Includes Two Misconducts)
Shots on Goal
