This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:Published: October 22, 2009
The Vernon Vipers didn’t find a cure for cancer, but they certainly scored enough Wednesday night at Wesbild Centre to keep the research labs going a while longer.
The Snakes exploded for six third-period goals to brush back the Merritt Centennials 7-2 before 2,000 pink-clad B.C. Hockey League fans on Paint the Rink Pink night.
Through business-sponsored pledges and an auction for their specially designed, pink-trimmed jerseys, the Vipers raised more than $13,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Braden Pimm’s jersey alone fetched $1,000, while Vipers’ players, coaches and staff combined to chip in $200 for every Vernon goal.
Vernon came out in the opening minutes looking like they wanted to beat cancer all by themselves. Defenceman Nick Amies and forward Connor Jones rang iron in the first minute as Vernon buzzed all over Merritt’s zone.
Vernon’s Robbie Short then deflected Dan Nycholat’s harmless looking point shot, nearly beating rookie netminder Cole Holowenko (Chilliwack Bruins high draft) five-hole.
“In the first two minutes we got momentum on our side even though we didn’t score,” said Vipers’ head coach Mark Ferner.
Short put Vernon on the board with a powerplay goal at 8:58 of the first period. His backdoor pass attempt got knocked down in the crease, and he cruised in to hammer the loose puck past Holowenko for his fifth goal.
Dustin Johnson (5th) equalized for the 4-9-0-1 Cents midway through the frame as he beat Graeme Gordon five-hole on the powerplay. Alex Valenti and former Viper Steve Tresierra earned assists.
“We were playing a really good game, we were getting the bounces but come the third period they turned it on pretty good, and some of us playing every second shift were getting really tired, and they capitalized on it,” said Tresierra.
“All four of their lines are gunning all the time and it puts a lot of pressure on you, but it makes you a better player because you realize how hard you have to work. We realized that through the first two periods we were playing good hockey, and we can build from that.”
Despite being outshot 15-12 in the second period, and 47-16 overall, Merritt countered the Vipers’ speed with physical play and started generating chances. The Cents’ Kevin Philp (6-foot-7, 255 pounds) and Joey McEwan threw hits with glee. Braden Pimm, who absolutely devastated Silvan Harper in the corner, and Sawyer Mick, who wallpapered Ryne Bodger to the sidewall late in the first period, answered for Vernon (15-1).
The Cents’ Casey Rogers, a call-up from the Banff Hockey Academy, wheeled up the wing and unleashed a low shot, forcing Gordon to make a nice pad save. Derek Hills (3rd) gobbled up the rebound to give Merritt the lead at 2:48.
Given the Vipers’ scoring prowess in their last few games – Vernon leads the league with a 5.30 goals for average – forward Kellen Jones admits he was a little concerned with their lack of production after 40 minutes.
“I was thinking about that during the second intermission when we only had one goal. I was like ‘geez, the cancer society is going to be down on us.’
“We weren’t getting the right bounces. We worked hard in the offensive end but were having trouble in the defensive end. Once we were in the third period we really started working hard and kept things simple which worked to our advantage.”
Added Nycholat: “It was a good challenge for us coming into the third period down (a goal). We prepared ourselves between periods and got ready for it. We knew it was going to be tough and it worked well.”
Added Ferner: “You can come home from a successful road trip and the first couple of periods you expect it to be easy. In the second intermission we said ‘let’s just take a big, deep breath and let’s go play.’ It was just a matter of time.”
Playing 4-on-4 to start the third frame, the Vipers’ Garrett Noonan (2A) connected with defensive partner Stevie Weinstein sneaking in from point. Weinstein dangled the 16-year-old keeper for his third goal.
Bryce Kakoske (3rd), on a gorgeous top shelf shot, and Kellen (4th), on an unreal forehand-backhand deke in close, sapped Merritt’s will.
“Once they get the tying goal there basically our guys just quit,” said Cents’ head coach Dylan Forsythe. “They figured it was going to be another romp and they ensured that it would be.
“It’s been an issue for us all season long, as soon as someone scores right away or someone gets ahead...we know Vernon is a powerhouse and they tie it up there and our guys just quit. It’s a confidence thing.
“It’s up to the guys. We can try and coach them all the powerplays and skating drills, but the mental aspect of it is huge.
“Our goaltending is pretty young, but they’re the ones that hold the fort for us. My hat is off to those guys. Holowenko had another great night until he was stranded again.”
Goals by Connor Jones (10th and 11th) and Jonathan Milhouse (7th) completed the Vipers’ attack.
The Vipers host the 5-8-0-2 Quesnel Millionaires Saturday night at Wesbild.
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