In a game where penalties flowed as relentlessly as the nearby Fraser River, the host Chilliwack Chiefs defeated the Vernon Vipers 4-1 on Saturday.

Photo: Don Klepp

Chilliwack's Cooper Rush and Vernon's Kevin Guiltinan (in red) squared off in a first period scrap.

Fittingly, the opening goal 3:32 into the game came on a Chiefs power play. Josh Hansen’s wraparound went through Austin Smith’s pads.

Jaret Babych’s high rocket, his first goal of the season, made the score 2-0 at 7:38 and the Chiefs seemed poised to run the undermanned Vipers out of the building.

But the visitors fought back, quite literally.

Shortly after the Babych goal, Chilliwack's Cooper Rush, a 6’7½” import from Oakville, Ontario and 6’3” Kevin Guiltinan, who came to the Vipers via London, Ontario, squared off in a heavy weight bout.

That was the just the first of three big scraps on the night's card.

Less than two minutes later, at 10:03, Ben Masella challenged Vernon’s Jedd Soleway after Soleway had levelled Austin Plevy at centre ice.

Before the game was over, another heavyweight bout ensued, this time between Vernon’s Geoff Crisfield and Chilliwack’s Kiefer McNaughton late in the second period.

Adam Tambellini would make his mark on the score sheet, scoring with a one-timer on a two man advantage to make it 2-1 four minutes into the second period, but Austin Plevy would score a pair of goals to put the game on ice.

Chilliwack finished the game one for 10 on the power play, while the Vipers were one for six.

Vernon played with just nine forwards because of injuries to Braedan Russell, Mitch McAllister, Mitch VanTeeling, Logan Mick, and Pierce Eviston.

The Vipers are off until Wednesday when they host Merritt at the Wesbild Centre.

--with files by Don Klepp