Both teams were worthy of two B.C. Hockey League points. They settled for one apiece.
The Vernon Vipers and West Kelowna Warriors battled to an entertaining 2-2 draw in front of 1,830 fans, including a boisterous West Kelowna contingent, Saturday night at Kal Tire Place.
Demico Hannoun and Dexter Dancs handled the scoring for the 14-7-3-4 Vipers, who currently occupy sole possession of first place in the Interior loop. The Warriors (14-9-1-2), who are tied with Salmon Arm for fourth, answered with snipes from Adam Osczevski and Carl Hesler, who forced OT with a shorthanded effort in the third period.
The game featured a stellar goalie battle between a pair of former WHL tenders. Austin Smith, who came to Vernon from the Swift Current Broncos last season, turned in a 44-save showing for first star. Smith was half a minute away from his first shutout a night earlier when the Snakes iced the host Trail Smoke Eaters 4-1.
Andy Desautels, formerly of the Prince Albert Raiders, backed the Warriors with 34 saves for second star.
In other BCHL play Saturday, the Merritt Centennials fell 2-1 to the Surrey Eagles, while the Penticton Vees bowed 2-1 in OT to the Coquitlam Express. Penticton (15-6-1-3) and Merritt (16-10-1-1) are tied for second behind Vernon.
The Snakes entertain the Cents Friday night.
Check out Wednesday sports in The Morning Star for a full recap of Saturday’s action.
