This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:Snakes unleash offence
Published: October 17, 2009
The Vernon Vipers have scored 36 times in their last four B.C. Hockey League games. That equals the offensive output of their first 10 games combined.
Braden Pimm, who earned first star for his 2+1 performance in the Snakes’ 9-2 dismantling of the host Williams Lake Timberwolves Friday night at the Caribou Memorial Recreation Complex, thinks it might just be puck luck.
“At the beginning of the year the bounces weren’t going our way, but we were still winning. We’ve just got our mojo going right now,” said Pimm, who collected his fifth and sixth goals before 600 fans Friday night.
Bryce Kakoske, who collected his first goal as Vernon steamrolled the host Quesnel Millionaires 9-1 Thursday night at The Vault, agrees.
“I tried taping my stick every different way and it wasn’t working,” grinned Kakoske, who has 1+4 in his last two games. “I just kept working hard and something had to go in. Now we’re just getting the bounces and everything wants to go in.”
The Vipers got other offence from Mike Collins (10th), Dylan Walchuk (5th), Kellen Jones (3rd), Drew George (4th), Sawyer Mick (4th) and Patrick McGillis (2nd) against Williams Lake (2-9).
Cameron Hoffman (2nd) and Justin Bardarson (4th) responded for the Timberwolves.
Rookie keeper Blake Voth recorded 19 stops for the win.
Against the Mills (4-8-0-2), Connor Jones (7th and 8th), Kevin Kraus (2nd), Pimm, Cory Kane (6th), George, McGillis and Dan Nycholat (1st) handled the Vipers’ attack in front of 473 fans.
Skyler Smutek (2nd) spoiled netminder Graeme Gordon’s shutout bid with a powerplay goal late in the third period. Gordon made 25 stops for the win.
Vernon is first overall at 13-1 as they head into today’s matinee against the host Prince George Spruce Kings (5-9-0-1) at the Coliseum.
“Guys are starting to figure it out,” said Vipers’ head coach Mark Ferner. “Every guy is taking it upon himself that he’s going to be the difference when he steps on the ice. It’s making it difficult for teams to play against us.”
Yet despite the lopsided wins, Ferner still wants the Vipers to tighten up in some areas.
“I didn’t think we played that well in the first two periods (against Williams Lake),” said Ferner, adding their preparation shouldn’t change, whether the opponent is a first-place team, or a last-place team.
“The mind set is the same every night and that’s the message that gets sent. You can’t just think that you can lace up your skates, put on your gear and win a hockey game.”
Ferner was ejected Thursday night after he argued with referee Jim Storey for not calling a penalty on a Quesnel player for running Gordon late in the game.
Nycholat stood up for his keeper by scrapping the Mills’ Brett Howe. The Calgary product earned the instigator and a game misconduct, missing Friday’s game.
Vipers’ defenceman Adam Thompson and forward Cole Ikkala did not dress either night. Ferner says both probably could have played, but he decided to sit them for precautionary measures.
Rookie defenceman Darrin Robak dressed in Nycholat’s place Friday night and earned a decision over Lucas Hildebrand in a second-period scrap. The Wolves’ Casey Fratkin tried to mix it up with Sawyer Mick late in the third period.
Braden Pimm, who earned first star for his 2+1 performance in the Snakes’ 9-2 dismantling of the host Williams Lake Timberwolves Friday night at the Caribou Memorial Recreation Complex, thinks it might just be puck luck.
“At the beginning of the year the bounces weren’t going our way, but we were still winning. We’ve just got our mojo going right now,” said Pimm, who collected his fifth and sixth goals before 600 fans Friday night.
Bryce Kakoske, who collected his first goal as Vernon steamrolled the host Quesnel Millionaires 9-1 Thursday night at The Vault, agrees.
“I tried taping my stick every different way and it wasn’t working,” grinned Kakoske, who has 1+4 in his last two games. “I just kept working hard and something had to go in. Now we’re just getting the bounces and everything wants to go in.”
The Vipers got other offence from Mike Collins (10th), Dylan Walchuk (5th), Kellen Jones (3rd), Drew George (4th), Sawyer Mick (4th) and Patrick McGillis (2nd) against Williams Lake (2-9).
Cameron Hoffman (2nd) and Justin Bardarson (4th) responded for the Timberwolves.
Rookie keeper Blake Voth recorded 19 stops for the win.
Against the Mills (4-8-0-2), Connor Jones (7th and 8th), Kevin Kraus (2nd), Pimm, Cory Kane (6th), George, McGillis and Dan Nycholat (1st) handled the Vipers’ attack in front of 473 fans.
Skyler Smutek (2nd) spoiled netminder Graeme Gordon’s shutout bid with a powerplay goal late in the third period. Gordon made 25 stops for the win.
Vernon is first overall at 13-1 as they head into today’s matinee against the host Prince George Spruce Kings (5-9-0-1) at the Coliseum.
“Guys are starting to figure it out,” said Vipers’ head coach Mark Ferner. “Every guy is taking it upon himself that he’s going to be the difference when he steps on the ice. It’s making it difficult for teams to play against us.”
Yet despite the lopsided wins, Ferner still wants the Vipers to tighten up in some areas.
“I didn’t think we played that well in the first two periods (against Williams Lake),” said Ferner, adding their preparation shouldn’t change, whether the opponent is a first-place team, or a last-place team.
“The mind set is the same every night and that’s the message that gets sent. You can’t just think that you can lace up your skates, put on your gear and win a hockey game.”
Ferner was ejected Thursday night after he argued with referee Jim Storey for not calling a penalty on a Quesnel player for running Gordon late in the game.
Nycholat stood up for his keeper by scrapping the Mills’ Brett Howe. The Calgary product earned the instigator and a game misconduct, missing Friday’s game.
Vipers’ defenceman Adam Thompson and forward Cole Ikkala did not dress either night. Ferner says both probably could have played, but he decided to sit them for precautionary measures.
Rookie defenceman Darrin Robak dressed in Nycholat’s place Friday night and earned a decision over Lucas Hildebrand in a second-period scrap. The Wolves’ Casey Fratkin tried to mix it up with Sawyer Mick late in the third period.
No comments:
Post a Comment