Wild Settle For 3 Of 4 Points Following Shootout Loss

The Wenatchee Wild earned three of a possible four points in their Home Opening Weekend series against the Vernon Vipers. Vernon notched a 3-2 shootout win on Saturday night at Town Toyota Center.

After a scoreless first period, the Wild opened the scoring at 13:17 of the second period. Following the media timeout, Wenatchee won the center ice draw and Dylan Herzog sprinted into the zone down the left wing, tossing the puck into the crease where Quinn Emerson directed it in for the 1-0 lead. Vernon cashed in on a power play late in the period to tie it, a one-timer from the top of the left circle from Matt Kowalski. Tensions boiled over early in the period when Huston Karpman dropped the gloves with Landon Fuller, a solid scrap that ended the night early for both players.

It was only a minute into the third period when Viper defenseman Christian Felton backhanded a rebound home for a 2-1 Viper lead, but it only lasted :25 seconds before Jack Bayless scored his second goal in as many games, driving home the deflection of a Drew Bavaro attempt from the low slot. After 60 minutes, the game headed to overtime. In the extra session, Vernon spent the last :40 seconds on a power play but ultimately the game would be decided in a shootout. The first two shooters for Vernon both scored, while both Wild shooters had their attempts turned aside, leading the Vipers to a 3-2 shootout win. Daniel Chenard stopped 36 of 38 shots in 65 minutes of play.

Wenatchee (3-0-1) continues the homestand against Trail (0-3-1) on Friday and Merritt (0-3-0) on Saturday. The games will be broadcast live on NewsRadio 560 KPQ on Friday, and SportsRadio 1340 The Hawk on Saturday.

Press release submitted by Wenatchee Wild