A five-on-three powerplay goal late in the third period gave the hometown Okotoks Oilers a 4-3 win over the Vernon Vipers in B.C. Hockey League action Sunday, Oct. 20, in front of 801 fans at the Viking Rentals Centre.
It was the first-ever meeting between the two clubs, and the loss snapped Vernon's modest two-game winning streak.
Brett Wilson's goal at 14:21 came with one second left in a holding minor penalty to the Vipers' Lukas McCloskey, and with 41 seconds remaining in a high-sticking minor to Georgios Stavrianeas. They were the only penalties of the final frame, and of only four infractions – two against both teams – called in the contest.
The Vipers scored powerplay goals on both Okotoks penalties in the second period.
For the second straight night, Vernon fell behind 1-0 after 20 minutes. Jackson Rowland scored at 15:05 to give Okotoks a 1-0 lead.
The Snakes tied the contest in a see-saw second period on a goal from Marko Stojkov (first in the BCHL) at 3:11.
Joseph Meredith restored the Oilers' one-goal lead 69 seconds later, only to see Carson McGinley tie the game for Vernon 62 seconds later with the man advantage.
Landon MacDonald scored a powerplay marker at 11:21 to give Vernon its only lead, which lasted almost three minutes before Coy Pighin evened the game for Okotoks.
Colin Reay, coming off a 28-save, first-star performance in a 5-2 win over the Bucks in Cranbrook Saturday, made 29 saves for Vernon, while Olivier Ciarlo had 25 saves for the Oilers (4-7, fourth place in the Interior East conference).
The Vipers (3-7-1-0, fifth in the Interior West) conclude their four-game road swing with games in Salmon Arm Friday, Oct. 25, and Penticton Saturday, Oct. 26.
Vernon returns to the friendly confines of Kal Tire Place for a rare midweek game Wednesday, Oct. 30, against the Victoria Grizzlies.
SNAKE BITES
• Defenceman Edvin Nilsson made his debut with the Vipers on the weekend, picking up an assist in the win over Cranbrook.
Nilsson is a talented blueliner from Tranas, Sweden, who joins Vernon after spending last season with the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League. He played in the J20 Nationell League in Sweden, where he picked up 14 points in 34 games, and also suited up for his country's U18 squad.
“We were targeting and looking to find an experienced, mobile puck-moving defenceman who could add more offence to our back end," said Vipers head coach Lukas Lomicky. "We believe Edvin brings those qualities to our team, and we’re thrilled to have him on board.”
Nilsson is five-foot-11, 183-pounds, and a left-hander that who promises to bolster the Vipers’ defensive corps with his play-making ability and offensive contributions.
“I’m really excited to join the Vernon Vipers," said Nilsson. "I’ve only heard great things about the organization, and I’m looking forward to putting on the Vipers jersey. I hope my play can help the team.”
In addition to his commitment to the Snakes, Nilsson is also committed to playing at the University of Massachusetts in the future.
• With the addition of Nilsson, the Vipers have sent defenceman Isaac Holt to the Prince George Spruce Kings for future considerations.
Holt suited up in nine of Vernon's first 11 games, and did not register a point.
