The Drive For Five Continues:

The Drive For Five Continues:

The Vernon Vipers are going to their 7th National Championship next weekend in Victoria for a chance at winning their 5th Centennial Cup-Royal Bank Cup. It all began 20 years ago, when the Vernon Lakers made their first appearance at the 1989 Centennial Cup in Summerside, Prince Edward Island. The Lakers would end making a record four straight trips to the big dance from 1989-1992 winning it twice back to back in 1990 & 1991 In 1989 the Lakers were eliminated in the round robin going 0-3. In 1990 the City of Vernon would host its first National Championship, hosting the 1990 Centennial Cup. The Lakers would lose in the BCHL League Finals to the powerhouse New Westminster Royals in 6 games (4-2) Due to hosting the tournament the Lakers would get another shot at the title. Vernon would go 3-1 in the round robin before defeating the Nipawin Hawks in the semi-finals. The stage was set as Vernon would get another shot at New Westminster in the finals live on tsn, Cam Sylvans Overtime winning goal sent the Civic Arena into a frenzy as the Lakers would win its first ever Centennial Cup Championship on home ice. In 1991 the Vernon Lakers would make it three straight Centennial Cups with a stop in Sudbury, Ontario. The Lakers would go 2-2 in the round robin, before knocking off the Yorkton Terriers in the semi-finals. Vernon and the host Sudbury Cubs would meet in the finals as the Lakers would win back to back Centennial Cups with a 8-4 victory. Vernon would make its fourth straight Centennial Cup Appearance in 1992 in Winnipeg, Manitoba Vernon would finish off the round robin at top spot with a 3-1 record, but had troubles in the semi-finals losing 5-2 to the Winkler Flyers. The Flyers had upset the back to back Centennial Cup Champion Vernon Lakers. After new ownership and some struggling seasons the Lakers were sold once again, Duncan Wray would change the historic Lakers name to the Vernon Vipers and in 1996 win its first Royal Bank Cup. That year the Centennial Cup had also changed names, now called the Royal Bank Cup. The Vipers travelled back to the big show with a stop in Melfort, Saskatchewan. The team would go 2-2 in the round robin before knocking off the Newmarket 87's in the semi-finals. The final stage was set the Vipers met up against the very strong host team, in the Melfort Mustangs. With the game live on tsn, Vernon would shock the town of Melfort and the Mustangs with a 2-0 victory, this giving the Vernon franchise its 3rd National Championship. Just three seasons later the Vipers would make it back to the Royal Bank Cup, with a stop in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. Vernon struggled in the round robin going 1-3 but would upset the top seeded Bramalea Blues in the semi-finals. Once again Vernon was back in the finals and would come home with its fourth National Championship. The Vipers would spank the Charlottetown Abbies 9-3 live on tsn. This years version of the Vernon Vipers play its first game next Sunday at 2pm vs the East Champion.