Wild Stymied In Series Opener

The Wenatchee Wild were handed a rare shutout loss on home ice to begin their best-of-seven playoff series with the Vernon Vipers, as Vernon posted a 3-0 win to take a 1-0 series lead and steal home ice advantage. It was the first postseason shutout loss for the Wild since joining the BCHL in 2015.

Despite two power plays and a solid push in the first 10 minutes, the Wild fell behind when Connor Sleeth knocked home a loose puck in the paint at 15:26 of the first period. In the second period, Vernon’s power play converted as Ryan Shostak snapped home the rebound of a midpoint shot just 10 seconds into the man advantage. The Vipers led 2-0 after two periods, and added a third in the final period as Connor Marritt whistled a shot home from the left circle in stride, also on a power play. Vernon goalie Reilly Herbst notched a 30-save shutout, and Daniel Chenard kicked aside 14 of the 17 shots he faced for Wenatchee.

The Wild will look to even the series in Game 2 which is slated for Sunday at 7:05 pm before shifting to Vernon for Games 3 and 4. The games will be broadcast and streamed online with NewsRadio 560 KPQ, with the Pregame Shows airing at 6:45 pm.

All recaps provided by Wenatchee Wild.