In front of a nearly capacity crowd at Vernon’s Kal Tire Place, the Vipers were hoping to send the Family Day crowd home happy on Monday afternoon.
Their opponent, the Cranbrook Bucks, had other plans.
Cranbrook scored three in the first, one in the second and five in the third to rip apart the Vipers, 9-1 in B.C. Hockey League action in front of 2,827 fans.
A great crowd on hand at Kal Tire Place hoping to rally the @VernonVipers to a Family Day victory over the Cranbrook Bucks #yourvernon pic.twitter.com/Gm513p1Ai5
— Bowen Assman (@B0B0Assman) February 19, 2024
The Bucks got three goals from Blake Cotton, a pair from Loke Sodergren while Patrick Murphy chipped in with a goal and three helpers. Jacob Fletcher had three assists while goaltender Carter Capton stopped 30 shots for his seventh win of the season.
Vernon’s lone goal in the second period was courtesy of Adam Csabi, with assists from Hank Cleaves and Connor Elliott. Ethan David started the game in goal, but was pulled after allowing three first period goals in 17 minutes. Colin Reay stepped up in relief, but wasn’t much better, letting in six goals on 23 shots.
Carter Capton made 30 saves for the Bucks, who erupted for their largest offensive outburst of the year. Cranbrook scored 7 in a 7-4 win against the Spruce Kings in Prince George Feb. 2.
The loss was Vernon’s largest of the season and put a stop to their stretch of four wins in five games.
A double header in Prince George against the Spruce Kings is next for the Vipers, on Feb. 23 and 24.
The Bucks move to 19-23-2 on the year with their third straight victory. The team sits at 40 points, 11 back of the Vipers (25-16-1).
Cranbrook entertains the Trail Smoke Eaters Friday, Feb. 23, and the Penticton Vees Saturday, Feb. 24, at Western Financial Place.
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