After playing great hockey for 61 minutes, a two minute stretch of poor play doomed the Vernon Vipers as they fell 4-3 to the Penticton Vees in BCHL action.
In front of a packed crowd of over 2,200 at Kal Tire Place, the Vipers had a strong opening period.
After a quick goal from Vees winger Anselmo Rego, Vernon responded with markers from Carson McGinley and Koji Gibson, both their first of the season.
The second period was scoreless. Vipers goalie Colin Reay held steady with eight saves.
In the third, after an Isaac Holt holding penalty, the Vees grabbed the tying power play marker from Max Heise. Then, 47 seconds later, Ryden Evers put Penticton up by a goal. Just over a minute later, Matthew Cataldo added an insurance marker for the visitors, as they went up 4-2.
Minutes later, an illegal check to the head from Keeghan Dunn put Penticton on a long five-minute power play, however Reay was able to parry away all the shots.
With the extra attacker on the ice and Reay on the bench, Vernon grabbed one back, with Shea Busch's first of the season However, that was the closest they came as the Vees won, 4-3.
Will Ingemann made 31 saves for his third win of the season.
The Vipers (0-5-1-0), remain winless so far this season. They are back home on Friday, Oct. 11 to battle the West Kelowna Warriors. The Vees (5-1-0-0) also head home on Friday, to play the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
