Royal Bank Cup Final: Vernon 2 Humboldt 0

Was at todays Royal Bank Cup Final as Vernon defeated Humboldt 2-0 to win its 5th National Championship in team history in front of 1,917 fans at the Wesbild Centre.

Starting Goaltenders:

Vernon: Andrew Hammond
Humboldt: Mathieu LaRochelle

1st Period: Vipers got the first early pressure with some quality chances in front. Braden Pimm with a quick shot from the circle was stopped by Mathieu LaRochelle. Kellen Jones with a big hit along the end wall on Garrett Leedahl. Leedahl would leave the game after taking the hit from Jones. Vernon would have the early edge in play up 4-0 in shots. Kellen Jones with LaRochelle down and out couldnt get the puck up and over the Broncos goaltender. Both teams looked a little tenative in the early going. Humboldt finally would get its first shot on goal six minutes into the game. The Broncos would get some momentum and get a few good chances in front. The Broncos would get the first powerplay of the night, putting some good pressure on the Vipers getting some good chances but couldnt beat Andrew Hammond. Rob Short with a burst of speed down the wing, would get a shot off from the circle as LaRochelle would make the blocker save. The Vipers would kill off the minor. Cory Kane made a nice pass through the crease as Cole Ikkala couldnt connect on the pass, on a great Vipers scoring chance. Matthew Kirzinger would get tossed from the game after a check from behind on Cameron Brodie. The Vipers struggled on the man advantage as the Broncos would kill off the minor but lose one of their better players in Kirzinger. Ryan Santana with a chance from in front was stopped by LaRochelle. Late in the period captain Chris Crowell would get tossed from the game after a check from behind. Crowell's junior hockey career would come to an end. The powerplay would carry into the 2nd period. It was scoreless after the first 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Humboldt 12-9.

2nd Period: The Broncos would come out flying to start the period moving the puck well on the man advantage. Captain Brady Wacker moved in from the slot and then wired a quick shot as Hammond made the save. Vernon would kill off the minor. The Broncos looked very good in the early goings as the Vipers passes were off and couldnt seem to generate much offensive attack. Humboldt did a great job at shutting down Vernons strong forecheck and cycle down low. The Vipers were having all kinds of trouble working the forecheck down low. Cory Kane with a quick shot from the wing, LaRochelle kicked out the big rebound as Bryce Kakoske was in front but couldnt connect on the chance out front. Humboldt would get a great chance with Troy Allan getting a breakaway, Kyle Bigos and Cameron Brodie would both try and hustle back, Hammond would make the first save before Bigos and the puck would go crashing into the goal. The Broncos figured they have scored, but the goal was dissallowed. Vernon would get a powerplay and take advantage. Braden Pimm with some strong play inside the Broncos line, worked the puck around, Cory Kane found Pimm out front who beat LaRochelle at 12:33 putting the Vipers up 1-0. Kane & Kevin Kraus collected the assists. Humboldt really carried the play for most of the 2nd getting some good chances but couldnt find the back of the net. Both teams were limited on chances as both teams defence played strong keeping shots to the outside, clogging up the middle. The Vipers would take another big loss lossing veteran 20 yr old Ryan Santana after being kicked out for checking from behind. The Vipers now two men short were down to basically three lines. The Vipers would kill off the minor. Cory Kane with a wicked shot from the wing would hit the crossbar. Scott Schroeder with a great chance late just missed on the far side. Vernon was lucky up 1-0 after 40 minutes of play. Humboldt outshot Vernon 13-7.

3rd Period: With the Vipers on an early powerplay, it was Nick Kalnicki with a chance early in front as the Broncos come close shorthanded. Vernon struggled on the man advantage not recording a single shot. The Broncos would kill off the minor and looking to tie the game. Humboldt with a great scoring chance as Spencer Braaten looking for a tip from the shot from the point, but just missed the net. Humboldt really shutdown the Vipers offensive attack as it took the Vipers just over eight minutes to get their first shot on goal. The Vipers best scoring chance of the period came when Mathieu LaRochelle was down and out, Connor Jones scooped up the loose puck out front and with a shot from the slot was stopped as LaRochelle made the huge save while on his side with his back to the play. Vernon would get another powerplay and struggle having all kinds of trouble with the man advantage. Humboldt did a great job at forcing the Vipers back into their own end. The Broncos would kill off the minor. Shortly after the Vipers would get another powerplay and take advantage. Kyle Bigos with some unreal stick handling went through two or three Bronco defenders, then putting a nice move on LaRochelle sliding the puck home at 14:00 as the Vipers went up 2-0. Kellen and Connor Jones grabbed the assists. Vernon has been knowen all season to sit on one or two goal leads, wich they would do for the remainder of the period. The Vipers would sit on the two goal lead, dumping the puck deep into the Humboldt zone, killing off valuable time off the clock. The Broncos couldnt seem to generate much offence as the Vipers defence did a great job at keeping guys to the outside. With just over a minute remaining the Broncos would call a timeout and pull LaRochelle for the extra man. Humboldt would get the play in deep but have some troubles getting pucks towards the net. With a few chances Vernon would take a penalty, but not touch the puck as this would kill off some key time off the clock. By the time the Vipers touched the puck, the Broncos would get just over 6 seconds left with the man advantage. The clock would run out on the defending National Champs as the Vipers bench erupted pouring onto the ice as the Vernon Vipers would capture the 2009 Royal Bank Cup Championship with a 2-0 win becoming the first team ever to win 5 National Championships. (1990,1991,1996,1999 & now 2009)

Top Players: (Vernon)

Andrew Hammond played and looked very solid between the pipes for the Vipers. Hammond looked very focused and ready for most of the game. Covered up most of his shots, not allowing many rebounds.

Cameron Brodie played a solid defensive game on the blueline.

Cory Kane (1 assist) Played a very strong game up front for Vernon. Kane was skating hard all afternoon. Had some good chances, hit the crossbar on a great scoring chance in the 2nd.

Braden Pimm (Scored winning goal) looked very good at both ends of the rink. Showed alot of hustle.

Top Players: (Humboldt)

Brady Wacker looked good on the backend and up front. This kid who use to play up front before moving to defence is a very smooth skater. Not the biggest kid but is very mobile. See's and reads the ice well.

Mathieu LaRochelle looked very strong between the pipes for the Broncos. LaRochelle who was pulled after allowing 5 goals in the semifinal game vs Vernon during the round robin, really settled down and made some good saves in the first few opening minutes of todays game.

Scott Schroeder played well up front. Is always in and around the net.

Dimitri Levin played a solid defensive game. This kid dosnt give you much room in front, is very strong down low.

Tanner Vandesype has some wheels, had some chances.

Nick Kalnicki played strong up front. Took a few penalties but had some chances.

Game Thoughts: (Vernon)

What can you say about the Vipers and their defence. This team has shutdown teams sitting on one or two goal leads all playoffs and did it once again today. This wasnt the prettiest game by Vernon but they got the job done. Out of all of the games at the RBC this was the one game where the Vipers were outplayed and outworked for most of the game. Im not sure if it was nerves or Humboldt really stepped up their game, but Vernon was having trouble with their passes, especially breaking out of their own end. The Vipers who are very dominate with a strong forecheck and cycle game down low, didnt do much of that, as the Broncos did a great job at tying up the Vipers down low, not giving them any room to move or create chances. Give the Vipers a lead in the 3rd and its basically game over. The Vipers have been knowen for their defence and strong goaltending, Vernon has shutdown many teams in the final period sitting on a one goal lead. The Vipers have now won 50 games, tied one, and lost one in overtime when they’ve led going into the third period this season & playoffs. I feel very sorry for veteran 20 yr olds Chris Crowell & Ryan Santana two of the Vipers hardest workers who were both tossed from todays game for checking from behind. Crowell stood and watched the remainder of the game in his full gear just outside the Vipers tunnel. You have to give this team full credit for not giving up and pulling one out for both Crowell & Santana. Basically down to just three lines, the Vipers never quit and hung on for the victory. I was very nervous all day and even during todays game, I dont think I have any fingernails left. A very nerve racking game to watch for sure, but in the end it was totally worth it! Id like to thank the Vernon Vipers, the coaching staff and everyone involved on winning the 2009 Royal Bank Cup and bringing it back to Vernon! Home of now the 5 time National Champions. It was great to see such tremendous fan support from all the Viper fans and parents who were at the RBC and todays game. Vernon is very proud of you! Looking forward to seeing you guys back in Vernon! Many thanks go out to all the teams that played in this years Royal Bank Cup, Humboldt, Summerside, Victoria, & Kingston. I wish everyone involved all the best next season and in your future hockey careers. I met some very friendly people and fans at this years RBC and would like to thank all of them for the great time I had here in Victoria. & finally Id like to thank all of you, the great BCHL-Viper fans for reading my Vipers blog. Many Thanks to all the BCHL fans for updating the message board with team news, trades, game updates-recaps etc. Theirs been many nights I have been at home watching or listening to my Vipers on the radio or over the internet and have needed some info from things that happened during a game. Many thanks again for everything. Just think three and a half months and training camp is here. Have a great summer!

Game Thoughts: (Humboldt)

After losing 7-1 in Mondays semifinal to Vernon, & watching this team play in the RBC, I knew we hadnt seen the best from the Broncos. Well they come ready to play tonight, as the Broncos played a much better game in todays final. Humboldt carried the better of the play, getting some great chances but couldnt beat Hammond. The Broncos who really shutdown the Vipers forecheck and cycle down low, did a great job at really shutting down the Vipers #1 unit of Connor Jones, Kellen Jones & Sahir Gill. Humboldt is the first team all season that has shutdown the Vipers top line. The Broncos did a great job at clogging up the middle, keeping the Vipers to the outside. The Broncos won most of the faceoffs and won most of the one on one battles. Losing Matthew Kirzinger was a big blow, this kid who has missed most of the RBC just come back after an injury in the teams semifinal. Humboldt had lots of jump, really forcing the Vipers. Give this team full credit for battling hard, never quitting. This game was never over, going down to the final minute. Its never easy to knock off the defending National Champions, but its always tough when it happens. Id like to thank the amazing and very loud Bronco fans for coming out to support their team in full force. These die hard fans made a ton of noise all RBC and deserve a pat on the back. You guys are amazing! Id like to thank the Humboldt Broncos and the teams coaching staff for a tremendous effort in todays final.

Scratches:

Vernon:

Nick Amies
Trent Dorias (AP)
Steven Weinstein
Kory Roy

Players of the game:

Vernon: Andrew Hammond
Humboldt: Mathieu LaRochelle