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Vipers take commanding 3-1 lead in Interior Conference final

The Vernon Vipers did on Wednesday what no other team has been able to do in the 2010 BCHL playoffs — defeat the Penticton Vees at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

The Vernon Vipers did on Wednesday what no other team has been able to do in the 2010 BCHL playoffs — defeat the Penticton Vees at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

A 5-0 snapped a six-game home winning streak as Bryce Kakoske silenced the 2,171, who were mostly Vees fans, seven minutes into the first period when he beat Vees goalie Sean Bonar through the five-hole after taking Jonathan Millhouse’s feed which eluded, defenceman Joey Laleggia.

Kakoske then made it 2-0 with Eric Filiou in the box and five minutes later Adam Thompson made it 3-0. The Vees’ best chances offensively came in the first period as they outshot the Vipers 9-5, but found themselves down 1-0. In the second period, the Vees were outshot 11-6 and had to kill off three power plays. The Vees’ penalty killing unit wasn’t overly successful in shutting down the man advantage as the Vipers went 3-for-7. In the third, Mike Collins scored a shorthanded goal that eliminated any chance of a Vees comeback. Collins broke in alone and cut to Bonar’s left and roofed a backhand past his glove hand. Collins then added a fifth goal on the power play during the final minute of play.

The Vees return to Vernon for Game 5. If necessary, Game 6 returns to Penticton Saturday. Check Friday’s issue of the Penticton Western News for more Vees coverage.