Pimm Paces Viper Attack:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Pimm paces Viper attack

Published: November 10, 2009

A seven-point weekend has made Vernon Vipers’ forward Braden Pimm the B.C. Hockey League’s Player of the Week.

Pimm, a Fort St. John product, earned back-to-back first star honours as the 21-1 Snakes iced the Quesnel Millionaires 7-1 Saturday night at the Vault, and the Williams Lake Timberwolves 6-0 Sunday afternoon at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex.

“No matter who we play, he plays hard,” said Vipers’ assistant coach Jason Williamson. “It’s all just work ethic with him and he got rewarded on the weekend.”

Against the T-wolves, Pimm turned the hat trick in support of rookie netminder Blake Voth, who recorded 27 stops before 630 fans to collect his second shutout.

“He made some big saves and competed hard. He definitely earned that shutout,” said Williamson.

“Sometimes it’s hard to play behind us because we’re a puck possession team and we don’t give up a lot of shots. Some goalies would probably say they’d want more shots.”

Vernon’s makeshift fourth line of Drew George, Patrick McGillis and defenceman Darrin Robak added a new dimension to the Vipers’ attack. They combined for five goals and 10 helpers against Williams Lake (5-14-1) and Quesnel (7-13-0-3).

“They’re starting to figure out what it takes to be junior players,” said Williamson.

Second star George (7th goal) supplied the lone first-period goal. Pimm (10th, 11th, 12th) cranked up his game in the second frame. His hat trick marker came on a great set up from linemate Mike Collins, who won a race for the puck and drew netminder Evan Dauenhauer (Vernon product) out of position before dishing off for the easy tap-in.

“Our skill took over in that game. They bared down and buried their chances,” said Williamson.

Third star McGillis (3rd) and George (8th) completed the Vernon offence.

Despite the lopsided score, Williamson says they had a difficult time with Quesnel, who he credits for coming out and playing a physical game.

“Quesnel came out hard. It’s probably one of the best first periods a team has had against us. Our guys welcomed the challenge.”

Vernon got goals from seven different players in that one – George (6th), Robak (2nd), Jonathan Milhouse (9th), Pimm (9th), Robbie Short (7th), Collins (14th) and Sawyer Mick (6th).

Matthew Herskovitz (5th) handled the attack for Quesnel, who tested netminder Graeme Gordon with 25 shots.

Luke Siemens and Michael Smith (11 saves each) faced a combined 29 Vernon shots.

The Vipers completed their six-game road schedule Tuesday night against the Merritt Centennials (7-13-0-1) Tuesday night at Nicola Valley Arena. The entertain the Trail Smoke Eaters (6-16-1-1) in back-to-back games Friday and Saturday night at Wesbild Centre.

n Twins Connor and Kellen Jones had to settle for silver as Canada West bowed 2-1 to the U.S. in the championship game of the World Junior A Challenge Sunday in Summerside, P.E.I.

Connor, who supplied Canada’s lone goal on a second-period powerplay, was named a tournament All-star.

This is the second year in a row Canada West has fallen to the U.S. in the final. Matt Leitner netted the winner, sneaking a backhand through the legs of netminder Sean Bonar (Penticton Vees) just 50 seconds into the third period.

Bonar, who earned the Under Armour Undeniable MVP award, turned in an outstanding 34-saves performance to keep Canada West competitive.

American keeper Eric Mihalik made 28 stops for the win.

Earlier, Russia grounded Canada East 6-2 to earn bronze.