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UPDATE: Vernon Vipers hunt down Bucks in shootout

BCHL: Vipers move to within four points of fifth-place Cranbrook with 3-2 victory at Kal Tire Place
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Nicholas Kent of the Vernon Vipers (left) takes a bump from Andrew King of the Cranbrook Bucks during Vernon’s 3-2 BCHL shootout win Sunday, March 13, at Kal Tire Place. (Lisa Mazurek - Vernon Vipers Photography)

The Vernon Vipers let an important point slip away in B.C. Hockey League action Sunday, March 13, at Kal Tire Place.

The Snakes defeated the visiting Cranbrook Bucks 3-2 in a shootout to pull to within four points of the fifth-place Bucks in the Interior Conference.

Vernon could have moved to within three points with a regulation time victory, and took a 2-1 lead into the final 20 minutes.

Noah Quinn, the game’s second star, scored for Cranbrook seven minutes into the frame to earn the expansion squad a single point. Quinn had both goals for the Bucks.

Cranbrook has three regular-season games remaining, Vernon has four.

The Vipers opened the scoring Sunday a little more than two minutes after the national anthem when Cameron MacDonald scored on a Vernon powerplay at 2:13.

The score stood up until midway through the second period when Cranbrook evened the score at 1-1 with a powerplay goal of their own, courtesy of Quinn at 11:51.

The Vipersgot a huge late goal from Reagan Milburn at 19:51 to take a 2-1 advantage into the final 20 minutes.

In the shootout, captain JoJo Tanaka-Campbell scored the winner after MacDonald had evened the penalty shot competition at a goal apiece.

Liam Hansson, Cranbrook’s first shooter, scored on his attempt but Quinn and Tyson Dyck could not beat Vernon goalie Roan Clarke.

Roan Clarke was the game’s first star, making 39 saves between the pipes for Vernon, including six in the overtime frame.

Nathan Airey took the loss in goal for Cranbrook, stopping 23 shots.

The Vipers visit the Merritt Centennials Wednesday, March 16, while the Bucks return to the ice Friday, March 18, when they host the Conference-leading Penticton Vees.

ORIGINAL STORY

The Verno n Vipers will look to move closer to fifth-place Cranbrook in the B.C. Hockey League’s Interior Conference as they host the expansion Bucks today, Sunday, March 13.

Game time is 2 p.m. Pacific at Kal Tire Place.

Vernon (23-19-4-3) is five points back of Cranbrook (27-19-2-2). The Vipers have five games remaining the regular season, Cranbrook has four.

It’s the last of six regular-season meetings between the two teams. Vernon has won three of the first five, but the Bucks are 2-1 at Kal Tire Place.

Vernon is coming off a 5-1 loss in Prince George Friday night, March 11, while the Bucks doubled up the Merritt Centennials 6-3 on home ice Friday.

READ MORE: Prince George snaps seven game slide with 5-1 win over Vernon Vipers

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