Reay’s first BCHL shutout leads Vernon Vipers over Cranbrook Bucks

After being blanked by the Penticton Vees in their last game, the Vernon Vipers took a turn shutting out an opponent with a 4-0 victory over the Cranbrook Bucks Friday night.

Vipers goalie Colin Reay made 25 saves for his first career BC Hockey League shutout.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old defenceman Etienne Lessard, who the Vipers added to their roster from the Junior A Central Canada Hockey League on Wednesday, scored his first BCHL goal in his first game with the team.

The scoring didn’t start until late in the second period, when Georgios Stavrianeas tucked home the eventual game-winner, assisted by Payton Struck and Hank Cleaves.

Lessard scored 49 seconds into the third period on a five-on-three advantage. Just 37 seconds later, Owen Kim scored on the following five-on-four powerplay to push the Vipers lead to 3-0.

Reay made a handful of quality saves late in the game while the team was shorthanded, and Erik Pastro iced the game with an empty netter.

Although the Vipers recorded their 18th win of the season, assistant coach Lukas Lomicky wanted more from his players.

“We obviously know it wasn’t our best performance,” Lomicky said. “We have to thank our goalie who kept us in the game and gave us a chance to win. We have to regroup and find the rhythm to our game again.”

More than giving his team a chance to win, the Vipers’ goalie stymied the Bucks’ offence altogether, but postgame, his focus was on the two points.

“It was great to get my first BCHL shutout tonight in front of our amazing fans,” said Reay. “The boys played great in front of me tonight. It was a huge two points with the win and a great way to start an important weekend for our team.”

The Vipers are currently fourth in the Interior division with an 18-11-1-0-0 record, good for 37 points in 30 games played, three behind the Salmon Arm Silverbacks and five up on the Trail Smoke Eaters. The Bucks sit in sixth in the division with 27 points in 32 games, five back of Trail.

The Vipers will now wrap up their four-game homestand Saturday night, Jan. 6, against Trail. Puck drops at 6 p.m. The Bucks also play Saturday night, when they visit the West Kelowna Warriors at 7 p.m.

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