Die-Hard Vipers Fans Raise The Roof:

This is in the Morning Star Newspaper:

Die-hard Vipers fans raise the roof

By Graeme Corbett - Vernon Morning Star

Published: May 07, 2009

When it comes to fans at the Royal Bank Cup this week in Victoria, it’s quality, not quantity.
Lavishly appointed Bear Mountain Arena has yet to see a full house, yet it hasn’t dampened the level of hockey, or the fans’ enthusiasm. Unlike the soggy Island weather, the cheering sections have shone through like a glorious ray of sunshine.
Each of the five teams at the RBC has brought its own retinue, a good mix of hardcore fans and family members alike. Even followers of the Summerside Western Capitals from P.E.I. have made the 6,000-kilometre trek to watch their boys play in the junior A nationals.
The Humboldt Broncos appear to have one of the loudest cheering sections (Section C is a mass of green and black during Broncos’ games) thanks to their horde of clackers.
When they get going, they sound like a swarm of locusts on steroids.
Vernon Vipers fans, who are a little more spread out but have pretty much assumed control of Section I in the corner, prefer the tried and tested cowbell, as well as old-fashioned lung power, to cheer on the Snakes.
Anastasia Gates was so hoarse during the Vipers Tuesday night game against the Victoria Grizzlies that she could barely speak.
“I don’t know if I’ll be able to talk in the morning,” grinned Anastasia.
She and husband, Glen, who are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary this year, have followed the Vipers wherever they’ve gone in the playoffs.
“We went to Powell River, we went to Grande Prairie and now we’re here,” said Anastasia, who has been supporting the Vipers for nearly a decade.
“My goodness, they’re the best, what else can we say? They’ve won the Doyle (Cup), they’ve won everything, and now we know we’re going to win this too.”
Anastasia believes the Vipers’ success starts between the pipes.
“Look at our (Andrew) Hammond, he’s a star.”
It looks like Glen might get off easy when it comes to his diamond anniversary gift for his beloved wife.
More than anything, Anastasia wants to see the Vipers collect their fifth junior A hockey championship.
“Absolutely, I’d need nothing else,” chuckled Anastasia, who is already looking forward to next season.
Across the rink in Section A, Renée Nyberg and her daughter, Bryenne, drove out with her cousin Mark McMurphy and his son, Tommy.
Both Renée and Mark are volunteers at Vipers’ home games and are about as devoted as it gets when it comes to supporting the BCHL champions.
Even when the Snakes were down 4-2 to the Grizzlies heading into the third period, Nyberg still held hope.
“That’s OK. This is the toughest team that they’ve played since they’ve been here, or at least this is the toughest game we’ve had. I think we can still pull this out. They’ve done it before.”
Sure enough, Vipers’ forward Mike Collins tied it at 4-4 with two minutes remaining in regulation, setting the stage for Cole Ikkala’s overtime winner to keep the Snakes undefeated at 3-0.
“It’s definitely worth the trip, we’re having a blast,” said Nyberg, adding the Vipers’ success stems from their team unity.
“It’s because they’re a team – they’re tight. They know where each other is, they get along, they have a good time, and I think that makes all the difference.
“You watch them play, and they’re not like different people on the ice; they’re a team.”
Regarding the empty seats at the RBC, Grizzlies’ head coach Geoff Courtnall agrees the NHL playoffs are having an effect on attendance.
“It’s tough to compete with the (Vancouver) Canucks, but I think you’ll see more and more as the week goes on,” he said.
Turn to A23 in today’s sports section to see more about Thursday’s game between the Vernon Vipers and the Kingston Voyageurs.