Colton Sparrow scored what proved to be the winning goal at 7:16 of the second period to lead the Vernon Vipers to a 4-1 victory over the Trail Smoke Eaters Friday at the Cominco Arena.
The Vipers rebounded from a 5-2 loss to Penticton Vees Wednesday, moving into a tie with the Merritt Centennials for top spot in the BCHL's Interior division.
Tyler Povelofskie wired a shot over the glove of Smokie netminder Riley Corbin at 7:49 of the first to open the scoring as the Vipers outshot the Smokies 23 to 17 through two periods. Dexter Dancs would make it 3-0 at 4:18 of the third, and less than a minute later Sparrow would notch his second of the night to make it 4-0.
Trail captain Adam Wheeldon would put one by Austin Smith with just 31 seconds to play to spoil Austin Smith's shut out bid.
The Vees outshot the Smokies 34-28.
See Tuesday's Trail Times for more on the Trail Smoke Eaters.