Key win for Vipers over Smoke Eaters

It was a Sunday afternoon nail biter at Kal Tire Place, with the Vernon Vipers prevailing over the Trail Smoke Eaters 5-3.

Logan Cash iced it with an empty netter in the final minute after the Vipers killed off a penalty and got two key saves from goalie Reilly Herbst.

First star Connor Marritt had a goal and two assists for the Vipers who at one point had a 4-1 lead before a Sunday crowd of 1,979 fans.

Kent Johnson got his league leading 40th goal for Trail, upping his point total to 94 on the season.

It was the final regular season meeting between the two clubs.

The Vipers have five regular season games left, starting Friday in Wenatchee.

Vernon and Salmon Arm both have 59 points, while Wenatchee is a point back in the race for third place in the Interior.

“It keeps us in the race for third so it’s a big win for us. Being third is not the be all and end all, but it would sure be nice,” said Vipers coach Jason McKee in the post game show on Beach Radio.

In other action Sunday, Penticton got its 40th win, edging West Kelowna 5-4 in overtime at the South Okanagan Events Centre.