Unlike Friday when the Penticton Vees erased a two-goal deficit for a win, they fell short in pulling off the same comeback against the Vernon Vipers Saturday.
The Vipers held on for a 4-3 win at Kal Tire Place, the winner credited to TJ Dumonceaux after taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the first period. Vipers captain Ryan Renz beat Olivier Mantha 1:21 into the opening frame. The Vipers made it 2-0 on a goal by Brendan Persley over four minutes later. Just past the midway mark, Josh Bryan made it 3-0 to end Mantha's evening.
In the second period, the Vees used a four-minute power-play to inch back closer as Brad McClure scored 40 seconds into the frame. Just over a minute later, the Vees struck again as Erik Benoit and Brad McClure setup Shane McColgan to make it 3-2. Dumonceaux's followed when he beat Hunter Miska at 10:40.
In the final frame, Nic Pierog set up Cody DePourcq for his 20th goal of the season.
The Vees went two-for-four on the power play, while killing off all three Vipers man-advantages.
Hunter Miska finished with 20 saves, while Danny Todosychuk turned aside 33 for the win.
The Vees are now 34-16-2-4, good for 74 points, while the Vipers improved to 30-16-4-6, for 70 points.
For more Vees coverage, check Wednesday issue of the Western News.