Vernon Slides Out 5-3 Win in PG

(Hunter Luhmann with two goals was named 2nd star of the night. Photo by: James Doyle Photography)

Early and late goals hurt the Spruce Kings as they fell 5-3 to the Vernon Vipers.

Prince George would strike first in the game, as 2:18 in Hunter Luhmann ended his 24 game goal drought. Down the right side, the forward was able to snap a shot past Darion Hanson who entered the game with a 1.69 GAA in nine games for Vernon. Seven minutes in the Spruce Kings got in penalty trouble as they took a pair in one minute. They were able to kill off the two man-advantage, with Brett Stapley missing an empty net on the backdoor pass.

After scoring the first goal Luhmann would end the period on a low note though as he was in the box for the game tying goal. With 37 seconds left in the first, former Cariboo Cougar Chris Jandric was able to beat Tavin Grant over the right pad. On the power play, the wrist shot ticked Grant, but not enough to stop the puck finding twine to tie the game at one.

In the second, Vernon would take their first lead of the game shortly after the BCHL media timeout. 12:09 in Cameron Trott was able to go bar down on the right side to put Vernon up 2-1. Coming on the power play, Vernon was two for four at the time. Three minutes after, Hunter Luhmann was able to add his second of the game. From behind the net, Parker Colley was able to put the puck out front where Luhmann wacked it in. The Vipers would strike late again, with Brett Stapley dealing the damage. Down the right wing, the leading scorer for 1999 born players picked the near corner putting his side ahead with 1:33 to go.

The visitors struck early in the third with Jimmy Lambert pulling the highlight reel goal. Down the right wing, he gained a step on the defenseman was able to go across the nut backhanding the puck over a stretching Tavin Grant. Past the halfway mark of the period, Prince George pulled within one courtesy of Chong Lee. He missed the first cahnce, but was able to slide the backhand rebound through Hanson’s legs. The goal gave Lee nine points in the last five games.

Prince George pushed late, and Bryan Allbee took a penalty for slashing, but that was quickly negated with Brett Stapley from the Vipers going to the box for tripping. Prince George pulled Grant to go a man up, but it was Vernon striking with Jimmy Lambert scoring his second goal of the game.

From the Spruce Kings, Hunter Luhmann with two goals was the second star of the game. On each side of him, Stapley was first star with one goal and one assist (now 23 points in the last 20 games), and Lambert with two goals was the third.