Vipers, Vees tilt ends at even

Photo: Cherie Morgan

After a win on Friday night where the Penticton Vees needed every second to beat the Vernon Vipers in regulation, the Vipers successfully came from behind in Saturday's rematch, although it wasn't enough for a win.

Two five-minute overtime frames settled nothing, and the teams ended tied 2-2 at the Kal Tire Place.

The visiting Vees jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second with goals from Nicky Leivermann and Grant Cruikshank, as both players scored their second goal on the campaign respectively. 

But the Vipers wouldn't let the visitors spoil their weekend.

Niko Karmanis scored for the second straight night late in the second period, and Keyvan Mokhtari would knot things up with just over six minutes to go in regulation.

The Vipers were a bruising 0-8 on the powerplay, while the Vees were 1-6 with the extra man.

Massimo Rizzo couldn't convert a penalty shot for Penticton early in the third period, when the Vees were ahead 2-1. 

Shots were 40-28 in favour of Vernon.

Vees goalie Adam Scheel stopped a season-high 38 shots in the stalemate.

The Vees remain the only undefeated team in the BCHL but their win streak comes to an end with Saturday's tie, after winning each of their first six games. The Vipers, meanwhile, have seven wins, two losses and two ties through 11 games.

The Vipers will play next on Wednesday, when they head south of the border to face the Wenatchee Wild in a weeknight affair.

The Vees are in action again on Friday, hitting the road to face the Merritt Centennials for the second time this season.