The Doyle Cup now shifts to Alberta with the Spruce Grove Saints leading the best-of-seven series against the Vernon Vipers 2-1 thanks to a 5-2 victory in Game 3 in Vernon on Sunday night.
Special teams played a large role in the contest with each team tallying a power play goal in the opening frame. The Saints opened the scoring at 14:45 when Scott Allen moved in from the right point and beat a screened Kirby Halcrow low to the glove side while David Robinson was sitting in the box for boarding.
Vernon responded on the man advantage at 18:53 when a centring feed from Bryce Kakoske deflected off a Spruce Grove defender and onto Robinson's stick with an open net and the Viper captain made no mistake, tying the game1-1.
The Saints’ penalty killing was the story of the second period as the Vipers had two almost consecutive chances with the man advantage but they couldn’t convert. With Spruce Grove’s penalty killers blocking shots and taking away passing lanes, the Vipers passed the puck around the perimeter but got few pucks through to the net.
Controversy erupted on the only goal of the second period which was scored by Allen when he took the puck away from Vernon’s Malcolm Lyles in the right corner, walked to the net and barged into the crease and onto goalie Kirby Halcrow.The puck crossed the line and, after some discussion by the four officials, was ruled a good goal much to the consternation of the Vipers fans and coach Mark Ferner.
The Saints were 46-0-0-2 when leading after 40 minutes and took a lead into the third period for a second straight night. A penalty to Vipers forward Aaron Hadley for cutting Saints defenceman Jesse Slobodian gave Spruce Grove a four-minute power play and they took full advantage by scoring twice with Josh Koper and Josh Keizer doing the honours to make it 4-1 for the visitors.
Dane Muench gave the Snakes a flicker of hope when he whisked a backhand shot past Saints goalie Marozzi from the slot at 9:42 of the third but it was as close as Vernon would get. Koper sealed the deal with an empty-netter with 1:27 left.
Spruce Grove wound up 3-4 on the power play while Vernon went 1-6. Shots on goal were 29-19 in the Vipers favour.
The teams have two days off now and will each bus to Spruce Grove on Monday. Spruce Grove had a 25-2-0-3 home record this season while Vernon was 18-6-2-4 on the road.
Game 4 starts at 6 p.m.Pacific time Wednesday at Grant Fuhr Arena in Spruce Grove.
