Sports

The Vernon Vipers picked up their first win of the season in Salmon Arm Friday night.

Austin Smith made 20 saves and Adam Tambellini set up a goal in each period as the Vipers beat the home town Salmon Arm Silverbacks 3-0 on Friday.

Photo: Don Klepp

Austin Smith picked up his first shutout of the season Friday in Salmon Arm

The Silverbacks displayed some intensity early on but were unable to translate their hard work into scoring chances. They managed just three shots on net in the first period while the Vipers registered 10.

Despite nine scoring chances in the opening 20 minutes, the Vipers scored just once on the veteran goalie Colin Dzijacky.

At 17:39, Pierce Eviston combined with Adam Tambellini on a rush that started in the Viper end. Eviston lost the puck when checked by a trio of defenders, but regained it in the right face-off circle and fired a low wrister into the far corner.

In the second period, Tambellini set up Aaron Hadley for a power play marker at 1:36. Hadley, who has been a force early this season, was parked to the right of Dzijacky.

Later in the period, the Silverbacks redoubled their efforts and they generated four scoring chances, mostly through scrambles around the Viper crease. However, Austin Smith was a model of composure.

That trend continued in the third period as the Silverbacks played hard for the 1,128 fans in attendance.

Once again, however, the Vipers notched the lone goal.  Adam Tambellini won a face-off back to Geoff Crisfield who ripped a slap shot over Dzijacky’s shoulder.

The Vipers are now 1-1-0-1 as they prepare for a rematch with Salmon Arm in Vernon on Saturday night.

The two teams resume their rivalry in Vernon on Saturday.