Defenceman Grady Magner scored the overtime winner on a 4 point night to lead the Alberni Valley Bulldogs past the Vernon Vipers 5-4 Tuesday afternoon at the Silent Ice Center in Alberni.
“Gutsy performance.” praised Bulldogs Assistant Kyle Evans.
It was a wild affair with a pair of 4 goals swings, and both clubs playing back to back games in less than 24 hours. For Alberni Valley it was under 16 hours apart, all while missing 6 regulars, and only dressing 11 forwards and 5 defenceman.
“When you’re playing 4 games in 5 days against some really good teams, that’s tiring, it’s exhausting.” stated Evans,
“For our players to come out for the last game of the road trip, with unfavourable ice conditions, and dig in with a depleted line-up – we’re so proud of the group.”
The Bulldogs jumped to a 4-0 first period lead, with Magner assisting on the first 3 goals.
“It wasn’t the cleanest start, our fatigue showed a bit. We got a couple lucky bounces, the hockey Gods were smiling on us and gave us some momentum. Obviously (Vernon) came back when the fatigue set in.”
The Vipers got 2 back before the period was out, then added a pair in the middle frame to tie the game, which led to a scoreless third.
Magner converted on a 2 on 1 a minute into the extra frame, set up by forward Arman Adamyan, who had 3 assists.
“Captain clutch.” grinned Evans when asked about Magner, who also had a goal and assist one night earlier in the 2-1 win over the Saints.
“Such a calm presence, shifty skater…came up huge for us tonight, put the team on his back, and put the final nail in the coffin.”
Forward Gleb Semenov scored twice, Leim Smith had a goal and an assist, while Kieran Litterick added a single.
For the Vipers, Toms Trockis added a pair including a shorthanded lacrosse style goal to even the game at 4-4. Defenceman Ryan Fairbairn added a single.
Alberni Valley netminder Dayton Kitchener made 25 saves for the win, while starting goaltender Samuel DiBlasi allowed 4 goals on 12 shots before being relieved by Kason Kobelka who only allowed one goal on 24 attempts.
There was one fight between the Bulldogs Drew Bowe and Viper Cole Bieksa.
Alberni Valley went 1 for 6 on the power play, while Vernon went 0 for 3.
The Vipers had their 7 game win streak snapped, and were tied for the league lead in points going into the contest.
The Bulldogs won both their games at the BCHL Showcase, and completed their Alberta road trip with a 3-1 record, and 5-4 on the season.
“They were really fired up, after playing 4 games in 5 days against really tough teams, some really emotional wins.” added Evans.
Up next Hockey Day in Port Alberni on Saturday October 17th as they host the Victoria Grizzlies at 6pm.
Text Scoring Summary
Vernon Vipers 4 at Alberni Valley Bulldogs 5 (OT) – Status: Final OT1
Tuesday, October 13, 2026 – Silent Ice Center
Vernon 2 2 0 0 – 4
Alberni Valley 4 0 0 1 – 5
1st Period-
1, Alberni Valley, Semenov 3 (Adamyan, Magner), 6:03.
2, Alberni Valley, Smith 3 (DeFeo, Magner), 11:01.
3, Alberni Valley, Litterick 3 (Magner, Smith), 11:52 (PP).
4, Alberni Valley, Semenov 4 (Adamyan, Rutkis), 12:48.
5, Vernon, Trockis 5 (Schulha), 13:33 (SH).
6, Vernon, Fairbairn 2 (Kim, Pankey), 18:21.
Penalties-Karmiris Ver (interference), 11:28; Bieksa Ver (boarding, fighting), 13:22; Bowe Av (fighting), 13:22; Skadauskas Ver (tripping), 19:42.
2nd Period-
7, Vernon, Lake 4 (Eklof), 4:37.
8, Vernon, Trockis 6 (Karmiris, Trebicky), 11:57.
Penalties-Kim Ver (interference), 5:38; Meier Av (hooking), 12:26; Kim Ver (goaltender interference), 14:21; Smith Av (roughing), 18:31.
3rd Period- No Scoring.
Penalties-Fairbairn Ver (slashing), 11:31; Litterick Av (interference), 12:27.
1st OT Period-
9, Alberni Valley, Magner 3 (Adamyan), 1:02.
Penalties-No Penalties
Shots on Goal-
Vernon 11-13-5-0-29.
Alberni Valley 16-10-9-1-36.
Power Play Opportunities-
Vernon 0 / 3;
Alberni Valley 1 / 6.
Goalies-
Vernon, DiBlasi 4-1-0-0 (12 shots-8 saves); Kobelka 3-0-1-0 (24 shots-23 saves).
Alberni Valley, Kitchener 3-2-0-0 (29 shots-25 saves).
A-0
Referees-Kevin Connauton (37), Adam Andersen (17).
Linesmen-Eli Euverman (68), Noah Fulmer (89).
