Image credit: Vernon Vipers

By Pete McIntyre

BCHL playoffs

Vipers take control of series with Smoke Eaters thanks to late surge

Apr 7, 2024 | 7:45 AM

The Vernon Vipers scored four straight goals in the third period, including two in 23 seconds, to take down the Trail Smoke Eaters 5-2 in game 2 of their BC Hockey League first-round playoff series Saturday night.

The Vipers got goals from five different players including Isaac Tremblay who added one assist and was named the game’s first star before 2,315 fans at Kal Tire Place.

Carson McGinley, Luke Pakulak, Owen Kim and Etienne Lessard also tallied for Vernon who took a 2 games to 0 lead in the best of 7 series.

Trail got goals from Ethan Warrener and Judah Makway in the game that saw the Vipers outshoot the Smokies 39-30.

Ethan David, a 20-year-old in his third BCHL season, got his second win in net for Vernon with Teagan Kendrick taking the loss for the second straight night.

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The Vipers took game 1, 2-0 on Friday.

The series switches to Trail for games 3 and 4 Tuesday and Wednesday, both at 7 p.m. Listen for the games on 107.5 Beach Radio and Vernon Matters with Graham Turnbull.

Here are all the results from April 6 in the BCHL:

INTERIOR CONFERENCE SCORES:

#2 West Kelowna Warriors – 4
#7 Cranbrook Bucks – 3 (OT)
BOXSCORE
West Kelowna leads the series 2-0

#6 Merritt Centennials – 3
#3 Salmon Arm Silverbacks – 2
BOXSCORE
Series tied 1-1

#1 Penticton Vees – 3
#8 Prince George Spruce Kings – 0
BOXSCORE
Penticton leads the series 2-0

#4 Vernon Vipers – 5
#5 Trail Smoke Eaters – 2
BOXSCORE
Vernon leads the series 2-0

GAME NOTES:

• With another two goals tonight, West Kelowna’s Jack Pridham already has five goals in two playoff games to lead the league
• Merritt’s Charles-Thomas Larochelle scored two of the Centennials three goals tonight, including the game-winner
• A night after Penticton goalie Will Ingemann recorded a shutout in his first playoff start, his partner Andrew Ness accomplished the same feat, making 13 saves
• With the score tied 1-1 to start the third period, Vernon scored four straight goals to take the lead in their Game 2 win

COASTAL CONFERENCE SCORES:

#2 Chilliwack Chiefs – 2
#7 Langley Rivermen – 1 (OT)
BOXSCORE
Chilliwack leads the series 2-0

#6 Coquitlam Express – 4
#3 Alberni Valley Bulldogs – 2
BOXSCORE
Series tied 1-1

#1 Surrey Eagles – 5
#8 Cowichan Valley Capitals – 0
BOXSCORE
Surrey leads the series 2-0

#4 Victoria Grizzlies – 8
#5 Nanaimo Clippers – 2
BOXSCORE
Victoria leads the series 2-0

GAME NOTES:

• Matt Argentina scored his second goal of the playoffs in overtime to clinch Chilliwack’s 2-1 win
• Coquitlam’s Adam Manji stopped 38 of 40 shots to lead to Express to a Game 2 win
• Surrey’s Zachary Wagnon scored his second and third goals of the playoffs, added an assist and was named first star
• Seven different Victoria players had multi-point outings in Game 2, led by Chase Pirtle who finished with three points (two goals, one assist)