Morning Star Staff
The Vernon Vipers are savouring a road win and preparing to face the powerful Penticton Vees Friday night at Kal Tire Place.
The Snakes clipped the host Trail Smoke Eaters 2-1 before 919 B.C. Hockey League fans Saturday night at Cominco Arena. Trail clipped the Vipers 4-3 Friday night in Vernon.
Kale Howarth scored his 10th goal of the season for the Smokies at 2:46 of the first period with the assist going to Luke Santerno. Vernon outshot the Smokies 15-6 in the opening 20.
The Vipers scored two unanswered goals in the second period for a 2-1 lead with captain Riley Brandt counting his fifth of the year midway through the frame, assists going to Jesse lansdell and Jagger Williamson.
Newbie Keith Anderson pocketed the winner on a deflection three minutes later with d-man Michael Ufberg drawing the helper. Vernon outshot Traul 47-24.
First star was Vipers' goaltender Ty Taylor, while second star with 45 saves on the night was North Okanagan Knights' grad Zach Dyment. Santerno was third star.
Vernon is third in the Interior Conference at 8-6-21, one point back of the Merritt Centennials.
Penticton is first at 13-2. Nick Jones produced 2+1 as the Vees dispatched the West Kelowna Warriors 6-3 before 1,008 fans Saturday night at Royal LePage Place.
The Steinbach Pistons of the Manitoba League are 12-0 and rated first in the nation.