Collins Clutch Against Warriors:

This was in Sundays Morning Star Newspaper:

Collins clutch against Warriors

Published: October 04, 2009

Can’t really blame Vernon Vipers’ forward Mike Collins for sleeping in Saturday morning. He and the Snakes drained the tank Friday night, peppering Westside Warriors netminder Kevin Jebson with 52 shots in a 4-3 B.C. Hockey League thriller.
Collins, 19, pocketed the winner with two seconds left on a sweet backhand deke before 1,156 fans.
“I caught the d-man sleeping and went to the net as hard as I could. Milly (Jonathan Milhouse) made a perfect pass, and I caught the goalie sliding,” said Collins, who leads Vernon with 5-6-11 in seven games.
“You can’t ask for anything more. Our play in the first and second period wore them down for the third. In the third period, we really beared down and capitalized.”
Added Vipers’ assistant coach Jason Williamson: “It was a back breaker for them, but we had been coming hard all night. It’s the best team game we’ve played – we haven’t been tested like that this year.”
Jebson (48 saves) earned first star, while Graeme Gordon made 16 stops for the win.
The Vipers entertained the Interior-leading Penticton Vees Saturday night. They host Coastal Conference powerhouse Burnaby Express today in a 2 p.m. matinee.
“This weekend is a big test. Games against first- and second-place teams – it will show what kind of character we have,” said Collins.
University of New Hampshire scout Scott Borek paid the Vernon Vipers a unique compliment following Friday’s win.
“He told me the problem with Vernon is they are one of the most skilled teams in the league, but they work like fourth liners,” smiled Williamson.
“They (Warriors) capitalized on their opportunities, but our guys weren’t going to be denied.”
Braden Pimm (2nd) opened the scoring late in the first period as he charged the net to redirect Dan Nycholat’s shot.
Goals by Winfield’s Trevor Bailey (5th) and Cam Reid (4th and 5th) put Westside back in front, but Stevie Weinstein (2nd) equalized as he converted a crafty back-door pass from Kellen Jones on a second-period powerplay. Second star Connor Jones earned the other assist.
“Connor and Kellen are our team’s two hardest working guys, and it’s rubbing off on everyone,” said Williamson.
“When your best players are your hardest working players, it sends a message to everyone on the bench.”
Reid (third star) restored Westside’s lead 30 seconds into the final frame on a 5-on-3. Later in the third, Kellen completed a gorgeous tic-tac-toe with Conner and Cory Kane for his first of the season.