Playoff Hockey Returns To The Civic:

Due to the Interior Logging Association the Vernon Vipers are being kicked out of their home rink (Wesbild Centre) and now have to play their final two maybe three home games of the season-Playoffs vs. Grande Prairie at the very ancient Vernon Civic Arena. One of the premier rinks in the league, the Wesbild Centre holds just over 3,400, now the Vipers will be playing in a very old run down rink, wich holds 2,252. Many fans love the chance at watching this Playoff match-up at the old Civic, you can bet it will be jammed packed or close to it, with a great atmosphere inside, but that’s about it. Other Viper fans are dreading watching the Doyle Cup in the old, The Civic is a much smaller ice surface (180’ x 80’), compared to the Wesbild Centre, don’t forget with very low glass and very uncomfortable seating (wooden benches). This rink was unsafe and non suitable for junior hockey many many years ago. A terrible sound system, very small concourse, with very little room to move or walk around, & don’t forget very limited eats, as mostly the concesions are run by minor hockey, so expect lots of candy and junk food with no hot food avaliable. Many fans think the Vernon defence is built for a rink like this, I will agree as you are going to see some punishing physical play all series. Take a look at the Vipers forward units. The Vipers have a very balanced hockey club, that plays all four lines, any of these four lines can put the puck in the net. This years Vipers team, is made up of scoring, speed and skill with a bit of grit. The Vipers top line of Sahir Gill, Connor & Kellen Jones have one if not the best cycle game going in the league, take away the time and space these young kids have to wheel and deal in the Wesbild Centre and move them into the Civic, and I think this line wont be as effective. Kory Kane, Mike Collins, Rob Short, just to name a few are other players that are more effective on the bigger ice surface. Yes guys like Chris Crowell, Cole Ikkala, Bryce Kakoske, Cameron Brodie, Kyle Bigos and others can adapt to the smaller ice, but overall I think the Vipers team is more effective on the bigger ice. We don’t know much about the Grande Prairie Storm but If Mike Vandekamp’s Storm are built like his former Viper teams were, the Storm will definitely have the advantage in the much smaller Civic Arena. Vandekamp’s teams in Vernon were made for the smaller rinks around the league. Vandy’s teams are very well conditioned, will have a ton of grit and a big physical presence. The Storm will play with that edge Vernon fans are use to seeing in the past, Vandy’s Storm will have the edge in the smaller rink. Mike Vandekamp is very familliar with the Vernon Civic Arena, as Vandy once coached the BCHL's Merritt Centennials, wich played many hard fought battles against the Vipers in the Civic. One game I remember foundly was when Vandekamp blew a gasket at then Vipers Head Coach Troy Mick, as the teams were heading off the ice during an intermision, Vandekamp walked across the ice, down the tunnel and towards the Vipers dressing room. Minutes later Vandy would come out from the Vipers players entrance, and head across the ice into the Cents dressing room, as a course of boo's hailed through out the Civic. Vandekamp was a much hated man back in them days, as Merritt & Vernon didnt like one another. I have a big problem with this, the Vipers are the main users of the Wesbild Centre all season, and now get kicked out for a loggers show? You can argue all you want, yes I know it brings in a ton of cash and people into the city of Vernon, but if they know the Vipers are in the Playoffs, can’t they go back to the rec centre. A place they use to hold the loggers show before the Wesbild Centre was around. If I was Duncan Wray I would be choked. I’m not a big fan of this, a few years back the Vernon Vipers were forced to play in the Civic arena for the BCHL Fred Page Cup vs. Surrey. For one just dealing with the first come, first serve seating, it’s a royal pain, having to get down to the rink a few hours early, just to get the seat you want. I was hoping this would have been the last visit back to the old barn. Being a long time season ticket holder, this is a joke. The Vipers, parks and rec and the city need to work something out for the future so this doesn’t happen again.