The Vernon Vipers scored twice in the third period to defeat the Prince George Spruce Kings 5-3 Friday night in Vernon.
With the game tied at 3-3, forwards Nicholas Rasovic and Liam Finlay scored 10 minutes apart to secure the win for the Vipers.
The Kings had a chance to come within at least a goal with 90 seconds left in the game after Rasovic took a four-minute minor for high-sticking, but they couldn't connect on the power play.
It was Prince George's fourth-straight loss as it embarks on a three-game road trip to the Okanagan that began Friday in Vernon.
The Kings remain in third place in the B.C. Hockey League's Mainland Division at 18-16-0-4 with 40 points, eight points back of first-place Chilliwack. The Chiefs edged second place Langley 3-2 Friday.
The Vipers improve to 24-11-1-2 with 51 points, good for second place in the Interior Division behind Penticton.
Friday in Vernon, Kings defenceman Victor Dombrovskiy tied the game at 3-3 the 2:41-minute mark of the third period with a man-advantage until Rasovic scored what turned into the eventual winner at the 5:34-mark.
Vernon out-shot Prince George 12-3 in the third period as Kings netminder Jesse Jenks was tested often.
In the second period, the Vipers had a 3-2 edge on goals from Colton McCarthy and T.J. Dumonceaux.
Kings forward Michael Buonincontri tallied for the Kings.
Prince George forward Marco Ballarin and Vipers forward Liam Coughlin scored in the first period to end the opening frame in a 1-1 tie.
Vernon outshot Prince George 39-27.
The Kings are in Salmon Arm tonight to battle the Silverbacks and wrap up their road trip tomorrow in Penticton against the league-leading Vees (31-6-2-1).
Prince George returns to the Coliseum on Thursday to begin a five-game home-stand against Salmon Arm.
