Vernon recoiled on Tuesday night and struck back at the Kings with a vengeance to win game four 4-2.
Cory Kane got the Vipers off to a great start scoring on a two on one to beat Watson at 5:33.
Kings had a great chance to even the score before the end of the period but rang pucks off the post, Gordon and each other and came up empty. Gordon was spectacular in preserving the one goal lead into the first break.
Kings evened it up at 3:35 on the powerplay when Daniel Carr converted a nice cross ice pass from Justin DaSilva but the Vipers retaliated during the celebration when Connor Jones restored the one goal lead at 3:56.
Vernon really put the pressure on the Kings when Gill added to the lead with just 31 seconds left in the second period. Sahir Gill was the second Viper to get a whack at a rebound and Josh Watson had no help in holding off the attack.
Kings got into penalty trouble in the third period and although they closed the gap to one at 14:23 on a powerplay goal by Niddery, they nullified their momentum when Brenden Forbes was sent off for interference.
Kings took eight minor penalties in the game but were very good on the penalty kill which kept the Vipers off the scoresheet with the man advantage.
Vernon outshot the Kings 27 – 22 and that differential was also indicative of the play through sixty minutes.
Both teams load the buses for what looks to be a long series. Game five is in Vernon on Thursday night and game six in Powell River on Saturday night.
There was a real buzz in the crowd and although the Kings didn't pull out the win, the game had the fans jumping out of their seats on several occasions.
There are almost certain to be many, many more thrilling moments before this one is over.
Armitage Mens Wear Three Stars:
1. Connor Jones
2. Chad Niddery
3. Sahir Gill
