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Interior Finals Update: SilverBacks take early lead on the road

More than 3,000 fans came out to the Wesbild Centre to support the hometown Vernon Vipers for their first conference final game against the Salmon Arm SilverBacks.

But despite their fan backing, the Vipers were beat out by the SilverBacks in a close match that was decided in overtime with a score of 3-2.

Zac Rasmussen was the hero of the night, bookending the scoring for Salmon Arm with a goal late in the first and the game winner six minutes into extra time.

Chris Crowell had a big night for the Vipers tallying Vernon's only two of the night in their fight for game one.

The Vipers kept SilverBacks netminder Bryan Gillis busy all night with 42 shots, though he laid down a great effort stopping 39.   Vipers tender Andrew Hammond went home with the loss after stopping 24 of the 26 pucks that came his way.

As games are tightening up teams are trying to stay smart on the ice by keeping out of the box.  There were only five penalties on the night and all five came in the first.

Saturday will bring game two and will see the Vipers try to take advantage of their last home ice advantage before heading to SilverBack territory on Tuesday for games three and four.