Special teams was the story as the Vernon Vipers defeated the West Kelowna Warriors 5-2 Friday night (Jan. 3) at Kal Tire Place. 

The Vipers scored three powerplay goals on four opportunities while successfully killing off all three Warriors powerplays, including one late in the third period.

The special teams play Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥” as well as the play of goaltender Jari Kykkanen, named the game's second star Ï㽶ÊÓƵֱ²¥” was how the Vipers overcame a 35-23 shot deficit in the game. 

It was a banner night for 19-year-old Talan Blanck, who had two goals and two assists for the home team in his third game with the Vipers since being signed on Dec. 23. The Alaska-Fairbanks commit has three goals and three assist in those three games.

Simon Binkley opened the scoring on the Vipers' first powerplay nine minutes into the first period. It was Binkley's second powerplay goal in as many games.

Less than a minute later, Warriors' Sam LeDrew found the twine to even the score at 1-1.

Despite an early push from the Warriors in the second period, it was the Vipers that found the back of the net. Will Schumacher regained the Vipers' lead with his 10th goal of the season. Schumacher is now the Vipers' leading goal scorer with the departure of Landon MacDonald, who the team announced was leaving for the United States Hockey League earlier in the day Friday. 

Blanck then scored his first of the night on the powerplay towards the end of the second to make it 3-1 Snakes. 

Ian Alonso got his team back in the game with an early third-period goal, but the Warriors took a penalty less than a minute later, and nine seconds after the ensuing offensive zone faceoff, Blanck had his second powerplay goal of the game. 

Blanck then had the lone assist on a goal from Charlie Kresl, his seventh of the season. 

That would be all she wrote as Kykkanen shut the door despite 17 shots in the third period for the Warriors. 

The Vipers' win tightens the playoff race in the BC Hockey League's Interior East conference. The Vipers (10-15-5-0-0) are now two points behind the Warriors (10-15-5-2-0) with two games in hand. Both teams are currently out of the playoff picture but aren't far behind the Okotoks Oilers and the Spruce Grove Saints, who have 28 points in 29 and 30 games played, respectively. The Warriors in particular have a chance to make up some ground as their next two games are against the Saints and Oilers.

The Vipers return to action tonight (Jan. 4) against the Sherwood Park Crusaders at home at 6 p.m. The Warriors play Spruce Grove at home tonight at 7 p.m.

In other Vipers news, the team announced Saturday it has traded Sam Ward to the Victoria Grizzlies for future considerations. The left-shot defenceman had three assists in 10 games for the Vipers this season.

"The entire organization would like to thank Sam for his contributions to the team this season and wish him all the best with the Grizzlies," the Vipers said.