The end of the BCHL season could not come fast enough for the Vernon Vipers.
The team dropped another game, this time to the rival Salmon Arm Silverbacks, 6-3 from Rogers Rink in Salmon Arm on Family Day afternoon.
Salmon Arm started the scoring less than four minutes into the game, with Scott Miner's third of the season.
Vipers Talan Blanck promptly responded less than a minute later, with his ninth of the year. Kyren Gronick added his fifth of the year to give the Vipers their first lead of the game.
Maddux Martin knotted the game up at two, three minutes later with his 15th of the season, which ended the scoring in a busy opening frame.
The second period was all Salmon Arm. Dakota MacIntosh, Ryan Philbrick and Martin's second of the night helped the Silverbacks to a healthy 5-2 lead. The Vipers mustered up just three shots in the period.
Teams would trade goals in the third, as MacIntosh nabbed his second of the night, which was followed by a Charlie Kresl goal from Vernon. Salmon Arm would win, 6-3, as goaltender Andrew Ballantyne made 21 saves for his 15th win of the year.
Vernon's loss is their fourth straight and 10th in 12 games. They sit second-last in the Interior Conference with 30 points, eight points back from the final playoff spot. Salmon Arm sits fourth in the Conference at 52 points, one point up on the Sherwood Park Crusaders.
Next up for the Vipers is a trip to Alberta, to face the Okotoks Oilers on Friday, Feb. 21. Puck drop is slated for 6:05 p.m pacific.
Salmon Arm's homestead series continues with a game against the Penticton Vees next, on Friday, Feb. 21. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.
