Vipers Sting Vees

On April Fool's Day, the joke ended up on the Penticton Vees.

The Vees suffered their worst defeat of the season at the worst possible time Sunday, falling 8-0 to the Vernon Vipers.

The win gives the Vipers a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven Interior Conference final. Vernon can wrap up the series Tuesday in Penticton.

The Vipers led 2-0 after one and 5-0 after two.

The line of Connor Jones, Kellen Jones and David Robinson, all 16-year-old affiliates, did most of the damage for the Vipers. Connor Jones had two goals, Kellen Jones a goal and two assists while Robinson added a pair of assists.

Jon Smith, Kirk Meaver, Patrick Cey, Andrew Coburn and Drew Muench also scored for Vernon.

Corey Milen was yanked after giving up five goals on 16 shots. Bryan Mountain played the final 26 minutes, allowing three goals.

Nick Olynyk blocked just 19 shots to record his first shutout of the playoffs.

The winner of this series will take on the Coastal Conference champion in the league final. Nanaimo leads the Coast final three games to one over Cowichan Valley.