Morning Star Staff
Winger Keith Anderson scored twice as the Vernon Vipers upended the Merritt Centennials 3-1 Saturday night.
Anderson, a former Western League Victoria Royal, registered his second B.C. Hockey League snipe at 6:22 of the second period and added an empty netter with 13 seconds left in regulation.
Niko Karamanis converted on a shorthanded breakaway early in the third period after swiping a loose puck at the Vernon blueline. The Vipers were killing a charging major assessed to captain Riley Brandt, who also got a fighting major along with Merritt’s Tyrell Buckley.
Karamanis has six goals on the season, two shorthanded.
Cade Gleekel replied for the Cents on a powerplay with 63 seconds to play and Viper d-man Connor Clouston off for tripping.
Vernon outshot Merritt 39-20 with Ty Taylor taking the win and Jacob Berger the loss.
Forward Jimmy Lambert was the Fortis Energy Player of the Game for the Vipers, who improved to 9-7-2, good for second place in the Interior. The Cents dropped to fourth spot at 9-8-1
The Vipers begin a three-game road trek Friday night in Duncan versus the Cowichan Valley Capitals. Vernon takes on the Grizzlies Saturday night in Victoria and battle the Eagles in a Sunday matinee in Surrey.
Former Viper Blaine Caton bagged a deuce as the Trail Smoke Eaters bounced the Grizzlies 4-3 Saturday night before 815 fans at Cominco Arena. The Smokies are third in the Interior at 9-8-1.
The Penticton Vees lost 4-1 to the Wenatchee Wild in front of 3,050 fans Saturday night at the Town Toyota Center in Washington.
St. Louis product Charlie Combs produced his 17th, 18th and 19th goals of the season for Wenatchee, who outshot Penticton 48-16. The Wild are 13-2-1.
Matt Campese connected on a powerplay at 3:34 of the first overtime as the West Kelowna Warriors shaded the Alberni Valley Bulldogs 2-1 Sunday afternoon before 1,330 fans at Weyerhaeuser Arena.