The Vernon Vipers scored when it counted and held firm defensively on Friday evening, holding on to top the Salmon Arm SilverBacks by a 3-2 margin on home ice at the Wesbild Centre.
Sawyer Mick opened the scoring the Vipers, converting a Darren Robak feed past SilverBacks starter Tony Ierfino at the 7:18 mark of the first period. Braden Pimm doubled that advantage late in the second from a Mike Collins set-up, and Vernon held a 2-0 lead after an opening 40 minutes that saw them outshoot their visitors by a convincing margin of 21-5.
Salmon Arm did strilke for two in the third period, but it was too late as Bryce Kakoske had provided further insurance with a goal just 32 seconds into the frame. Josh Manson and Mark Zengerle did draw the SilverBacks close, but they couldn't find a third goal to even the game.
Graeme Gordon picked up the win in net for Vernon with a 12-save effort, while Ierfino took the loss after facing 28 shots.
Both teams have big games on tap on Saturday, as the Vipers travel to take on second-place Penticton while the SilverBacks return home to host the third-place Westside Warriors.
