Vipers Sink Smoke Eaters:

Vipers sink Smoke Eaters

by Don Klepp - Sep 19, 2009

On Friday, the Vernon Vipers spoiled the Trail Smoke Eaters’ home opener with a 7-1 win powered by Cory Kane’s first period hat trick. Californians monopolized the first period scoring, as defenceman Steve Weinstein and veteran winger Jonathon Milhouse also hit the score sheet. All three players hail from Greater Los Angeles. Kane’s first goal came on a line rush with the Jones twins. Connor made the initial move at centre as he headmanned the puck to Kellen. As they came to the Smoke Eater blue line, Kellen dropped a soft pass for Kane whose hard low shot beat Devon Murtaugh on the glove side at 3:44. Kane’s second goal, a short-handed solo effort, found the identical spot past Murtaugh at 13:11. Just over one minute later, Jonathon Milhouse converted a close-in chance after deep-down play by Braden Pimm and Mike Collins. At that point, Trail coach Jim Ingram called a time out, but at 18:33 Steve Weinstein sped in from the point to score the Vipers’ first power play goal of the season. With seven seconds left in the period, Kane completed his hat trick with another low shot that handcuffed Murtaugh. Garrett Beckwith, who posted a 1.82 goals-against average for the KIJHL Nelson Leafs last year, replaced Murtaugh at the beginning of the second period. He played well despite being bombarded by 19 Viper shots in the period. The two goals he surrendered were power play markers. First, Braden Pimm capitalized from immediately in front of the net after being set up by Jonathon Milhouse and Mike Collins. Then, Drew George met Adam Thompson’s point pass with a crisp one-timer for his first BCHL goal. The score sheet credited the goal to Bryce Kakoske, who wasn’t on the ice at the time. A 7-0 score meant that the third period became an opportunity for Trail to establish some momentum for Saturday’s rematch in Vernon. They achieved that goal as they out shot the Vipers 8 to 6 and scored the only goal of the final frame. Travis St. Denis popped in a five-footer after Sam Mellor’s hard work behind the Viper net had forced the puck out front at 8:43.

Game Notes: •Kane’s hat trick was his first in the BCHL. •Both Trail goalies started the 2008-09 BCHL campaign with Westside Warriors. •The Vipers have now won 18 straight games, including 11 at the end of last season’s playoff run, four exhibition contests this season, and the opening three league games. Meanwhile, the Smokies have lost 18 straight league and playoff games, going back to last season. •Newly acquired defenceman Marc-Antoine Chaput, a 17-year old from Quebec, suited up for Trail after arriving in town today. Patrick McGillis played his first Viper game, on a line with Bryce Kakoske and Sawyer Mick.