The Vernon Vipers won the battle of the conference leaders and extended their winning streak to 18 games, topping the Surrey Eagles by a 5-1 score on Friday evening at the South Surrey Arena.
Rob Short, shorthanded, and Dylan Walchuk, on a power play, put the Vipers ahead by a pair after 20 minutes. Surrey's Andrew Wallace put his team back within a goal midway through the second, but tallies from Short and Mike Collins before intermission gave Vernon a comfortable lead after two.
Sawyer Mick scored the only goal of the third period with five minutes remaining in regulation to ice the game for the defending RBC Cup champs.
Graeme Gordon made 23 saves and picked up the win for Vernon, while Vinny Lessard faced 39 shots before being replaced by Jay Deo late in the game.
The Vipers continue their three-game Coastal road swing on Saturday evening with a visit to the Langley Chiefs, while the Eagles remain on home ice to face the Powell River Kings.
