Weekend Round Up – Vipers Take Two Key Wins Over Bulldogs and Saints

Vernon, BC:  The Vernon Vipers entered the weekend knowing they needed a strong performance on home ice to keep their playoff aspirations alive. They delivered in a big way, securing crucial victories over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs and Spruce Grove Saints on Friday and Saturday.

Friday Night: Vernon 4, Alberni Valley 2

Facing a formidable Alberni Valley squad, the Vipers jumped out to a commanding 3-0 lead through two periods before withstanding a third-period push from the Bulldogs. Vernon’s efficient power play proved to be a difference-maker in the contest.

Talan Blanck opened the scoring with a breakaway goal, set up by Kyren Gronick, marking his 10th goal of the season. In the second period, Blanck returned the favor, assisting Gronick for his seventh of the season. Just moments later, captain Erik Pastro capitalized on a rebound to notch his long-awaited seventh goal, extending the lead to 3-0. Alberni Valley found life late in the second period, as Brendan Ruskowski tallied his first BCHL goal to cut the deficit to 3-1.

The Bulldogs continued their push in the third, with Kenyon McIsaac narrowing the gap to 3-2 midway through the frame. However, the Vipers responded on the power play, with Tyson Zimmer netting his fourth goal of the season to secure the win. Goaltender Jari Kykkanen was solid between the pipes, stopping 24 of 26 shots for the victory.

Saturday Night: Vernon 3, Spruce Grove 2

In a battle of two teams fighting to stay in the playoff race, the Vipers once again leaned on their special teams and strong goaltending to secure another crucial win.

Tyson Zimmer carried his momentum from Friday night, opening the scoring with a power-play goal—his second in as many games and fifth of the season. The Saints responded quickly, netting back-to-back goals from Austin Peters and Carson Lloyd in less than two minutes to take a 2-1 lead.

In the second period, Vernon’s special teams came through again, as Kyren Gronick redirected a shot from Ryan Watt and Talan Blanck to even the score at 2-2. The game opened up in the third, and a strong defensive play at the Spruce Grove blue line by Luc Bydal sparked the game-winning sequence. Bydal started an odd-man rush, completed a give-and-go play, and buried a rebound for his third goal of the season, with Charlie Kresl earning the lone assist.

The Saints pressed hard in the final minutes, peppering the Vernon net with 16 third-period shots, but Kykkanen stood tall, shutting the door to preserve the victory.

Looking Ahead

With momentum on their side, the Vipers now turn their attention to a crucial road trip in Alberta next weekend. They will face off against the Blackfalds Bulldogs on Friday before taking on the Sherwood Park Crusaders on Saturday in a pair of pivotal matchups.