First home win

Vipers crown Kings

Sep 22, 2019 | 7:55 AM

Vernon Vipers got their first home win of the new BCHL season, 3-0 over the Powell River Kings at Kal Tire Place Saturday.

Cameron MacDonald, a Surrey B.C. native, scored two goals for the Snakes, while 19-year- old Kamloops product Max Palaga stopped 20 shots for the shutout.

Ben Sanderson added the other Vipers goal as the team improved to three wins and two losses before 1,623 fans.

The Vipers next play Sept. 28 st home to Cowichan Valley.

Penticton Vees and Salmon Arm Silverbacks both improved to 5-0 with wins Saturday.

In the WHL, Dillon Hamaliuk scored two goals including the winner 4:59 of overtime as the Kelowna Rockets defeated the Spokane Chiefs 4-3 in the Rockets season opener.

A crowd of 5,302 was on hand.

Grizz spoil Vipers home opener

It was not the home opener the Vernon Vipers wanted.

The Victoria Grizzlies spotted the Vipers the game’s first goal but then roared back with three first period goals — including two in 23 seconds — and two more in the third for a 5-1 win before 2,055 fans at Kal Tire Place Friday.

Connor Marritt, the Vipers new captain, scored Vernon’s lone goal 5:29 into the game which featured a fast pace in the early going.

Vernon outshot the Grizz 42-30 in the debut for new Vipers head coach jason McKee.

Victoria goalie Joe Howe made 41 saves while Max Palaga took the loss for Vernon who look to get back on track tonight hosting the Powell River Kings at 6 p.m.

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