After the Buzzer – Vipers Fall 5-3 in Game 2, Series Now Even

West Kelowna, BC:  Reagan Milburn had a pair of goals and the Vipers powerplay scored for the second straight night, but they couldn’t climb out of a second period deficit as they dropped a 5-3 decision in game 2 of the best of seven series with West Kelowna.

The Warriors opened the scoring early as John Evans used the Viper defenceman as a screen, wiring a shot post and in, inside the first four minutes.  The Vipers evened the game up on a powerplay as Reagan Milburn sniped his second of the playoffs from the right circle making it 1-1.  West Kelowna re-took the lead later in the period on a powerplay of their own as Tyler Cristall uncorked a laser giving the home side a 2-1 lead after 1.

It wasn’t a great period for the Vipers despite a handful of chances.  The Warriors outshot and outscored the Vipers in the middle frame as Marcus Joughin deflected home a Zach Reim point shot making it 3-1.  Nick Roukounakis was next in on the offense as he picked the glove side on Roan Clarke shortly after a Viper powerplay expired.

In the third, it was Tyler Cristall again on a powerplay as he jumped on a fortunate bounce at the side of the net for his second goal of game.  Just 8 seconds later the Vipers responded as Ryan Shostak poked home a rebound making it 5-2.  Just over a minute later, Cam MacDonald set up Reagan Milburn for his second goal of the game and third of the playoffs making it 5-3 with plenty of time left.  The Warriors survived the flurry from the Vipers thanks to their goaltender and some key blocks as the final score was 5-3.

The series now switches to Vernon for Games 3 and 4 starting Monday night at 7pm.