The Vernon Vipers scored twice in the first period and again in the second period to roll to a 4-1 win over the Coquitlam Express in their BC Hockey League game, Wednesday in Vernon.
The hometown Vipers took control of the game from the opening face-off, firing 13 shots at Clay Stevenson in Coquitlam’s net in the first period. But it took the hosts more than 17 minutes to finally score when Coleton Bilodeau put the puck past Stevenson unassisted.
Vernon then made it 2-0 on another unassisted goal, this time by Teddy Wooding, with just 13 seconds left until the intermission break.
The Vipers doubled their advantage in the second period on goals by Logan Cash and Trey Taylor. That chased Stevenson from Coquitlam’s net in favour of Kolby Matthews. But he was back three minutes later when his successor was injured in a pileup in the crease.
The Express finally got on the scoreboard seven minutes into the third period. Drew Cooper scored his fifth goal of the season on a one-timer off the rush with Alex DiPaolo.
Coquitlam continued to press, including some sustained pressure in the Vipers’ zone after Stevenson was pulled for an extra attacker with 2:50 left in regulation time, but they couldn’t get another puck past Vernon goalie Aidan Porter.
The result means the Express maintain their five-point advantage over the Langley Rivermen in the race for third place in the BCHL’s Mainland division.
Coquitlam has one game left in their regular season schedule, while the Rivermen have three remaining. But a win by the Express against the Surrey Eagles Friday in Surrey will clinch their position in the standings and a date in the first round of the playoffs with the Prince George Spruce Kings.
