Vernon Vipers continued their winning formula last night beating the Langley Rivermen 5 – 4 in overtime last night.
The winning goal coming off the stick of Keyvan Mokhtari.
Josh Prokop led the night with 2 goals.
Vipers had a couple of opportunities in the first period to get on the scoreboard but couldn’t capitalize on power plays.
The Rivermen had the best chance to score in teat stretch as Brendan Budy hit a goal post while shorthanded.
The Vipers’ Jagger Williamson was robbed by the glove hand of Braedon Fleming to keep it scoreless.
Langley struck first as Angus Crookshank backhanded a puck home off a turnover for his 11th of the year.
He wasn’t done as late in the period he sniped a goal from the right circle to make it 2-0 on the power play.
The Vipers responded early in the 2nd period as an end wall bounce found Prokop and he tapped in his 7th of the season to make it 2-1.
Vernon took over the following minutes controlling the puck in the offensive zone to cause some turnovers.
They didn’t allow much to their own goal limiting the Rivermen to just 7 shots in the period.
The Vipers were able to equalize the game late on a scramble at the side of the Langley goal where Josh Prokop scored his 2nd of the night and 8th of the season to square the game at 2 heading to the third period.
Vernon exploded out of the gate in the third period as Brett Stapley scored in the first minute to make it 3-2.
Two minutes later that line would chip in again as Jordan Sandhu scored his 7th of the season from the slot to extend the Viper lead to 4-2.
The Rivermen though refused to go away and after a goalie change, took the momentum in an attempt to get back in the game.
Nic Ponak tipped home a point shot at the midway mark of the period to make it 4-3.
The Vipers then faced more adversity as they were assessed a double minor for high sticking. They were able to kill it off, but the Rivermen scored shortly after as Carter Stephenson scored his 4th to send the game to overtime.
In the extra period, Keyvan Mokhtari struck on the only shot as he ripped a shot high short side on Chad Cromar to give the Vipers the extra point and victory.
The Vipers next play Friday night in Penticton as they take on the Vees.
