This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:Published: September 27, 2009
Netminder Graeme Gordon reckons he probably could have collected a few more shutouts last season with the Vernon Vipers. Four in a row to be exact.
The North Vancouver product had already flirted with shutouts twice heading into the Vipers’ B.C. Hockey League tilt against the Quesnel Millionaires Friday night at Wesbild Centre. Gordon, 20, has allowed just one goal in two of his first four games, compiling a league-leading 1.39 goals against average and a sparkling .944 save percentage.
On Friday, the veteran keeper made 29 stops for his first goose egg as the Snakes brushed back the Mills 2-0 before 1,900 fans. The Vipers entertained the Williams Lake Timberwolves Saturday night.
“Last year there was a couple where I should have had four in a row, but I lost them in the third period, so I was kind of gripping the stick a little hard in the third tonight,” said Gordon, who pocketed first star. “But the guys clamped down for me defensively.”
One of Gordon’s best saves came in the final frame, as Vipers’ defenceman Garrett Noonan got caught pinching, and Taylor Holst breezed by him to go in on an odd-man rush. He dished off to Trevor Hertz, but Gordon came cross-crease with a sensational pad save to protect the bottom on the net.
Gordon later had to race out to clear the puck from Mills’ rookie Erik Hansen to stymie his breakaway attempt.
“I sort of hesitated for a minute, but then I thought I had no other option, so I just turned the jets on and got there luckily just in time,” smiled Gordon, who credited the Vipers’ defensive play for making his life easier.
“They’re just doing a good job of shutting it down. They’re eliminating those second chances, they’re clearing rebounds, making simple outs... just getting pucks out off the glass.”
Offensively, the Vipers (5-0) are giving opposing goalies nightmares, averaging 38.6 shots a game. They tested Mills’ netminder Kirby Halcrow with 37 shots Friday night.
“It was just like Midget again,” chuckled the likeable Halcrow, who played minor hockey in Grande Prairie before joining the AJHL Fort McMurray Oil Barons last season. “But I think I play better when I get more shots.”
In the first period, the Mills looked very much like a team that had just spent half a day riding the bus, but they loosened up as the game wore on.
“Our first period was kind of rough – we were just getting our bus legs out. That’s no excuse really. We should have played better the whole game,” said the hulking Halcrow.
The Vipers’ Drew George (2nd goal), on a sweet setup from Dylan Walchuk, split the Mills’ defence before walking in on Halcrow, beating him five-hole to open the scoring at 5:02 of the first period.
“I don’t know how I got through, but I did and got a lucky goal,” grinned George. “It just opened up for me. I kind of fanned on it a bit and found the five-hole. He (Walchuk) gave me a nice little chip pass and I just took it from there.”
The Vipers’ Cory Kane (5th) iced the game early in the third period after linemate Connor Jones (second star) put on a great solo effort, wheeling up the wing and cutting in hard on Halcrow. Kane simply tapped home the rebound passed the sprawled keeper.
The Mills (1-3-0-1) have already lost a handful of one-goal games this season, but Quesnel head coach Glen Watson says it’s just a matter of building up team chemistry and confidence to turn things around.
“In the first period, there was nothing there. In the second and third I thought we did a good job and got some opportunities there.
“We’re moving in the right direction as a team. The big thing is confidence.
“That’s a pretty good hockey club there. They do a lot of good things. They pressure everywhere, good chip-ins, they’re always on our defence. You’ve just got to move the puck as quick as you can, and if you hesitate they’re on ya.”
Watson says part of the challenge with playing the defending national champions is convincing his players they have to ability to pull the upset.
“It’s always a mental block where you think you’re not going to win. We’ve got to get across to our guys that they’re human too. If you do your things right, you’re going to have a chance.”
Vipers’ head coach Mark Ferner was pleased with his players’ effort, but also credited the Mills for not giving up.
“They played a good road game. They kept it close. It was a well played game by both sides.
“In tight games like that, there’s a tendency to start cheating for your chances. We’re not going to get that two-goal lead by sacrificing play in our defensive zone.
“We’ve just got to be simple. We don’t have to make any better play than the one that’s in front of us.”
The Vipers’ schedule now starts to pick up as they visit the Westside Warriors (4-2) Friday night at Royal LePage Place. They host the powerhouse Penticton Vees Saturday at Wesbild.
“We’ve got some tough games coming up. I know our guys are getting tired of practicing, so playing three games in three nights will be good for us,” said Ferner.
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