This is on the Morning Star web site:Vipers double Caps in RBC opener
By Graeme Corbett - Vernon Morning Star
Published: May 03, 2009
VICTORIA – The ice wasn't even dry before the Vernon Vipers began imposing their offensive ability on the Summerside Western Capitals of P.E.I. in their opening game of the Royal Bank Cup.
Forward Braden Pimm needed all of 13 seconds to beat netminder Alex Dupuis in the Vipers 4-2 win Sunday afternoon in a sparsely-filled Bear Mountain Arena. The Fort St. John product cashed in a juicy rebound off a Mike Collins shot from the sidewall, beating Dupuis five-hole in front of an announced 1,514 fans.
"We wanted to get off to a quick start, but we didn't expect it to be that good of a start," said Vipers' head coach Mark Ferner. "We got pucks to the net and jumped on them early. We didn't really know what to expect... it was two really nervous hockey teams out there, and we were fortunate to get a 2-0 lead early."
The Caps tried to counter Vernon's speed with a physical style of play, but it only got them as far as the penalty box, as referee Colby Smith blew the whistle on every infraction. Summerside earned six minors to the Vipers' three in the first period, culminating in a decent stretch of 3-on-3 hockey late in the frame.
"The standard of play in terms of officiating is very high, and they're calling things that perhaps we aren't used to being called back in our league," said a diplomatic Summerside head coach Kenny McDougall. "It's an adjustment period for us and the officials to what is going to be acceptable in terms of play.
"I really liked our penalty kill, it was outstanding and it's been outstanding all year. We don't want to take that many penalties, and it's something we're going to have to improve upon if we're going to have success in the tournament."
Ironically, it was while the Caps were on the powerplay that the Vipers struck next.
Scoring his third shorty in as many games, Vipers' Player-of-the-Game Connor Jones went in 2-on-1 with twin brother Kellen, who appeared to purposely bank the puck off the end boards to set up Connor for the easy tap-in at the other side of the net at 6:40.
Connor's second of the game was set up by a gorgeous stretch pass from Vipers' defenceman Kevin Kraus deep inside Vernon's zone. Going in all alone on Dupuis (34 saves), Connor came in fast and went forehand-backhand low stick side at 11:17 of the second frame for the winner.
"We got a couple bounces there... a nice pass from Krauser, and a bounce behind the net for a lucky goal," said Connor. "It gets a little bit of the nerves out, and we play better with a lead, I think. It was a big goal by Pimmer and it's a good start."
Added Ferner: "They're (Capitals) a big, physical hockey team, and it's always tough when you're digging yourself out of a hole. You're down 2-0 and maybe your game-plan has to change a little bit. I thought our guys did a pretty good job through two periods of just trying to keep it simple, getting pucks deep and getting as many pucks to the net as possible."
The Caps' best early chance came when Mike MacIsaac was left alone in front of Vipers' netminder Andrew Hammond (19 saves), who flashed his patented 'Spoke' save to deny the Summerside product.
The Vipers went right back on the attack in the second period, hemming Summerside in their own end for much of the first 12 minutes with a relentless forecheck and timely defensive pinches. While the Caps were more disciplined in the second frame, they recorded just four shots to Vernon's 21.
Collins converted one of the Vipers' numerous scoring chances when Pimm spotted him alone in front for a quick one-timer, less than half a minute after Connor's breakaway goal.
Refusing to quit, the Capitals came out with a lot more hustle in the final 20 minutes. They were rewarded when Nathan Desroches broke up the wing on his off-side to snap a quick shot past Hammond.
Then, shortly after Hammond made a slick split save on Chad Locke barreling in from the wing, Josh McKinnon threaded a hard point shot through traffic to cut the lead in half.
McDougall was pleased to see his players battle to the end, and hopes it is something they can build on.
"We talked between the second and third that it's time for us to try to win a period. You can't win the tournament today, you can't lose the tournament today, but you can take steps in either direction, so I think it's a real positive for us to compete hard in the third period like we did.
"Vernon is a real solid team. They're goaltender was solid, their forwards were extremely fast and their defence played their position well, so ya, credit to them, they do have a great team, but hopefully we'll see them again before the tournament is over."
Summerside Player-of-the-Game Brad Smith admits it is an adjustment playing a new team in a different setting.
"You know very little about these teams, but you know they're going to play a very skilled game... but we can come in and play our physical type of game and mix it up with that.
"Back home, we've always been the most physical team as well as the most skilled team, and that's where we really succeed. Chipping pucks in and imposing our will on their defence and taking pucks to the net... just being miserable to play against.
"We're a tight group, and after the second intermission, we just said 'come on guys, we're not going to come here to get embarrassed.' We're just as good as any of these teams, and we went into the third and really showed them what we could do."
Despite the loss, the amiable Smith remained upbeat and is just trying to soak up as much of the RBC experience as possible.
"Victoria is a beautiful spot. We took the ferry over from Vancouver to Victoria, and it's the first time in my life that I've seen a place that's just as beautiful, if not more beautiful, than P.E.I. We've only been here a couple days, and it's already been the trip of a lifetime. We're just living the dream right now."
The Vipers face the defending champion Humboldt Broncos Monday night, followed by a Tuesday tilt against the host Victoria Grizzlies (both games are at 7 p.m. and can be heard on KISS-FM).
The Grizz bowed 2-1 to the Broncos Saturday night after Humboldt's Scott Schroeder caused a neutral-zone turnover to score shorthanded with one second remaining in regulation.
Regarding Broncos, Connor said: "They're a good hockey team, and that's why they're here. We've just got to come out with a good effort and match their intensity."
Forward Braden Pimm needed all of 13 seconds to beat netminder Alex Dupuis in the Vipers 4-2 win Sunday afternoon in a sparsely-filled Bear Mountain Arena. The Fort St. John product cashed in a juicy rebound off a Mike Collins shot from the sidewall, beating Dupuis five-hole in front of an announced 1,514 fans.
"We wanted to get off to a quick start, but we didn't expect it to be that good of a start," said Vipers' head coach Mark Ferner. "We got pucks to the net and jumped on them early. We didn't really know what to expect... it was two really nervous hockey teams out there, and we were fortunate to get a 2-0 lead early."
The Caps tried to counter Vernon's speed with a physical style of play, but it only got them as far as the penalty box, as referee Colby Smith blew the whistle on every infraction. Summerside earned six minors to the Vipers' three in the first period, culminating in a decent stretch of 3-on-3 hockey late in the frame.
"The standard of play in terms of officiating is very high, and they're calling things that perhaps we aren't used to being called back in our league," said a diplomatic Summerside head coach Kenny McDougall. "It's an adjustment period for us and the officials to what is going to be acceptable in terms of play.
"I really liked our penalty kill, it was outstanding and it's been outstanding all year. We don't want to take that many penalties, and it's something we're going to have to improve upon if we're going to have success in the tournament."
Ironically, it was while the Caps were on the powerplay that the Vipers struck next.
Scoring his third shorty in as many games, Vipers' Player-of-the-Game Connor Jones went in 2-on-1 with twin brother Kellen, who appeared to purposely bank the puck off the end boards to set up Connor for the easy tap-in at the other side of the net at 6:40.
Connor's second of the game was set up by a gorgeous stretch pass from Vipers' defenceman Kevin Kraus deep inside Vernon's zone. Going in all alone on Dupuis (34 saves), Connor came in fast and went forehand-backhand low stick side at 11:17 of the second frame for the winner.
"We got a couple bounces there... a nice pass from Krauser, and a bounce behind the net for a lucky goal," said Connor. "It gets a little bit of the nerves out, and we play better with a lead, I think. It was a big goal by Pimmer and it's a good start."
Added Ferner: "They're (Capitals) a big, physical hockey team, and it's always tough when you're digging yourself out of a hole. You're down 2-0 and maybe your game-plan has to change a little bit. I thought our guys did a pretty good job through two periods of just trying to keep it simple, getting pucks deep and getting as many pucks to the net as possible."
The Caps' best early chance came when Mike MacIsaac was left alone in front of Vipers' netminder Andrew Hammond (19 saves), who flashed his patented 'Spoke' save to deny the Summerside product.
The Vipers went right back on the attack in the second period, hemming Summerside in their own end for much of the first 12 minutes with a relentless forecheck and timely defensive pinches. While the Caps were more disciplined in the second frame, they recorded just four shots to Vernon's 21.
Collins converted one of the Vipers' numerous scoring chances when Pimm spotted him alone in front for a quick one-timer, less than half a minute after Connor's breakaway goal.
Refusing to quit, the Capitals came out with a lot more hustle in the final 20 minutes. They were rewarded when Nathan Desroches broke up the wing on his off-side to snap a quick shot past Hammond.
Then, shortly after Hammond made a slick split save on Chad Locke barreling in from the wing, Josh McKinnon threaded a hard point shot through traffic to cut the lead in half.
McDougall was pleased to see his players battle to the end, and hopes it is something they can build on.
"We talked between the second and third that it's time for us to try to win a period. You can't win the tournament today, you can't lose the tournament today, but you can take steps in either direction, so I think it's a real positive for us to compete hard in the third period like we did.
"Vernon is a real solid team. They're goaltender was solid, their forwards were extremely fast and their defence played their position well, so ya, credit to them, they do have a great team, but hopefully we'll see them again before the tournament is over."
Summerside Player-of-the-Game Brad Smith admits it is an adjustment playing a new team in a different setting.
"You know very little about these teams, but you know they're going to play a very skilled game... but we can come in and play our physical type of game and mix it up with that.
"Back home, we've always been the most physical team as well as the most skilled team, and that's where we really succeed. Chipping pucks in and imposing our will on their defence and taking pucks to the net... just being miserable to play against.
"We're a tight group, and after the second intermission, we just said 'come on guys, we're not going to come here to get embarrassed.' We're just as good as any of these teams, and we went into the third and really showed them what we could do."
Despite the loss, the amiable Smith remained upbeat and is just trying to soak up as much of the RBC experience as possible.
"Victoria is a beautiful spot. We took the ferry over from Vancouver to Victoria, and it's the first time in my life that I've seen a place that's just as beautiful, if not more beautiful, than P.E.I. We've only been here a couple days, and it's already been the trip of a lifetime. We're just living the dream right now."
The Vipers face the defending champion Humboldt Broncos Monday night, followed by a Tuesday tilt against the host Victoria Grizzlies (both games are at 7 p.m. and can be heard on KISS-FM).
The Grizz bowed 2-1 to the Broncos Saturday night after Humboldt's Scott Schroeder caused a neutral-zone turnover to score shorthanded with one second remaining in regulation.
Regarding Broncos, Connor said: "They're a good hockey team, and that's why they're here. We've just got to come out with a good effort and match their intensity."
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