Coastal Storm Stops Snakes:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Coastal storm stops Snakes

Vernon Morning Star

Published: November 19, 2009

The only thing that seems to have gotten the best of the Vernon Vipers lately is the weather.

The Snakes were supposed to have played the host Powell River Kings in B.C. Hockey League action Wednesday night on the Sunshine Coast, but a torrential downpour, complete with severe winds, caused power outages, cancelling the game.

Rather than hang around to play a makeup game Thursday, the Vipers continued their four-game tour of the Coastal Conference’s Mainland teams. They face the Coastal leading Surrey Eagles tonight at South Surrey Arena.

Vipers’ assistant coach Jason Williamson was unsure when the game would be made up, adding issues such as ferry schedules, accommodation and a game time for a potential Thursday matchup made it difficult to come to a decision.

“We didn’t know what was going to happen today (Thursday), so we had to go as planned. It’s not really right for our guys to play four games in four days.”

Williamson doubts the cancelled game will affect the Vipers’ mind set.

“Our guys are good about things like that. We’ll try to get some ice somewhere to get their legs going. They should be able to shift gears and play a good game.”

Meanwhile, Vipers’ defenceman Adam Thompson has committed to play with the Yale Bulldogs for the 2011-12 season.

Yale is one of the most prestigious academic schools in North America, and the 19-year-old Calgary product admits he had to really hit the books to get the grades.

“I worked hard in high school and my parents instilled good things in me. The good grades came out because of it,” said Thompson, who has 2-9-11 in 23 games with Vernon. “Now that I’ve got the whole scholarship thing out of the way, I can relax and focus more on playing hockey.”

Added Vipers’ head coach Mark Ferner: “That’s a pretty prestigious school, Yale. It’s one of the best schools around and the hockey is good.

“It’s a well-deserved scholarship. He’s a good all around defenceman – he’s got a good shot, he’s reliable in his own end – he can play at both ends of the rink.”