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Vipers lose 2-1 to Kings

The Vernon Vipers had their unbeaten streak stopped at six games Friday in Chilliwack
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Jack Judson

The Vernon Vipers were averaging close to five goals a game until the B.C. Hockey League Bauer Showcase in Chilliwack.

The Vipers had their undefeated streak snapped at six games with a 2-1 loss to the Powell River Kings in a Friday matinee at Prospera Centre.

Vernon and Alberni Valley Bulldogs tied 1-1 in double overtime Friday night at Prospera Centre.

Josh Coblenz scored 84 seconds into the third period as Powell River won their fourth in five starts. Ben Berard drew the assist. Kyle Kawamura added security into an empty net with 42 seconds remaining. Coblenz and Berard earned helpers.

Keyvan Mokhtari replied for the Snakes on a powerplay with 10 seconds left. Brett Stapley assisted.

Mitch Adamyk recorded 35 saves for the Kings, while Anthony Yamnitsky blocked 28 shots for the Vipers. Powell River was 0-for-8 on the powerplay, Vernon 0-for-3.

First star John Hawthorne recorded 43 saves for the Bulldogs Thursday night.

“He played well but he didn’t steal the game for them,” said Viper assistant coach Kevin Kraus. “He made a couple of big breakaway saves on Jimmy Lambert and some nice backdoor stops. Ty (Taylor) played well for us too, especially in the first period (shots were 10 apiece).”

The Vipers, who had won their first four games, got 27 saves from Taylor.

The Dawgs (1-2-0-1) went ahead at 8:52 of the second period on a powerplay snipe by Ryan Steele. ex-Viper d-man Darren Rizzolo and Tyson Slater drew assists. The goal came just 10 seconds into a double high sticking minor assessed to blueliner Shane Kelly, chosen second star.

Vernon equalized at 6:56 of the third period when rookie d-man Jack Judson converted unassisted after a 20-second fray.

“He did a nice job pulling the puck out of the scramble and going backhand,” said Kraus.

Steele received a major for checking Vernon leading scorer Jimmy Lambert from behind two minutes after the Alberni goal. Lambert suffered cuts to his nose and cheek. He went for medical attention but returned to action. Lambert was named third star.

“They (Dawgs) played us the right way, taking away our time and space,” said Kraus. “The guys are pretty positive. We know we can play better and today will be a big test.”

The Vipers take on the high-scoring Powell River Kings today at 1 p.m. The Kings have three wins an an overtime loss while racking up a league-high 27 goals.

In other Thursday action, the West Kelowna Warriors clipped the Cowichan Valley Capitals 2-1, the Salmo0n Arm Silverbacks shaded the Surrey Eagles 3-2 in overtime and the Langley Rivermen edged the Merritt Centennials 4-3.

Vernon’s Matt Kowalski assisted on Stephen Kieysen’s winner midway through the second period for West Kelowna.

Austin Chorney connected at 2:18 of overtime as Salmon Arm won their second straight at the Showcase.

Nicholas Ponak’s shorthanded tally with 2:57 remaining lifted the Rivermen past the winless Cents.

Kowalski counted 1+2 and earned second star as the Warriors torched the Coquitlam Express 7-2 Wednesday night.

Josh Latta supplied two goals as the Silverbacks trimmed Cowichan Valley 3-2 Wednesday for their first win of the season.