The Vernon Tier 2 Vipers U15 hockey team has emerged as champions of the Okanagan Mainline Amateur Hockey Association (OMAHA) for the first time since 2016, marking a significant victory for the team. After a challenging regular season, the Vipers entered the playoffs as a mid-tier team. They began by defeating West Kelowna 8-1 in the first game, only to suffer a tough 5-3 loss to Kelowna in the second game. This loss set the stage for a must-win third game to advance to the semifinals.
Despite being down 3-2 in the third period against Salmon Arm, the Vipers demonstrated their resilience as Max Power scored the tying goal with just 4:37 left. Shortly after, Daniel Cooke added another goal, followed by an empty netter from Emily Boyd, securing a 4-3 victory and setting up a semifinal rematch against Kelowna.
The Vipers found themselves once again trailing 3-2 in the third period of the semifinal game against Kelowna. However, they managed to equalize the score with less than two minutes left, eventually sending the game to overtime. The intense matchup continued into the overtime period, with the Vipers’ Ben Hunsberger and Nathan Wilson sealing the victory and securing a spot in the final game against the top-ranked Penticton team.
In the final game, Vernon took an early lead when Justice Gommerud scored, but Penticton managed to tie the game. The game continued into overtime, and Gommerud scored his second goal just 16 seconds in, clinching the victory for the Vipers and propelling them to the provincial championships.
Todd Connolly, the head coach of the Vernon Vipers, commended the team for their dedication and teamwork, emphasizing the sacrifices and hard work that led to their success. He also expressed gratitude to the team’s support staff, acknowledging their continuous assistance.
As a result of their victory, the Vipers will join seven other teams in the provincial championships, which are scheduled to take place in Salmon Arm from March 16-20. Their impressive win serves as a testament to their determination and unity as a team, and they are undoubtedly poised to make a strong showing in the upcoming provincial championships.