Snakes Munch Merritt:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Snakes munch Merritt

Published: October 31, 2009

With twins Connor and Kellen Jones away at the World Junior A Hockey Challenge in P.E.I., Vernon Vipers’ head coach Mark Ferner was looking for someone to step up offensively Friday night against the host Merritt Centennials.

Rookie Dylan Walchuk (7th and 8th goals) and second-year power forward Cole Ikkala (5th and 6th) obliged, scoring a pair of first-period goals each as the Snakes rolled the flu-ravaged Cents 10-4 in B.C. Hockey League play at Nicola Valley Arena.

Cory Kane (9th) made it 5-0 early in the second period before the Cents’ Dustin Johnson (11th and 12th) scored the first of his two goals on a powerplay late in the period. His second came at 1:27 in the third frame.

Ferner would have gladly traded a few of the 17-1 Snakes’ goals for a little more responsible two-way play.

“We got a little sloppy and we started cheating in areas, trying to find an easier way to play. You’ve got to be responsible on both sides of the puck,” said Ferner.

“I was happy, obviously, that we won the game, but good teams don’t give an inch and last night we gave more than an inch.

“Our guys have been on a good roll (10-game winning streak) and I’m not too concerned about it. They’re a good group and they understand what they did right and what they did wrong.”

First star Mike Collins (11th and 12th) kept Vernon rolling with goals less than two minutes apart (once on the powerplay) early in the third period, followed by Robbie Short’s sixth goal at 9:28.

Mitch Jones (1st) and Alex Valenti (7th) added singles for Merritt (6-11-0-1), while defenceman Darrin Robak (1st), who played on a makeshift line with Drew George and Patrick McGillis after Sawyer Mick was ejected for a hit from behind, and Nick Amies (2nd) completed the Vernon offence.

Rookie netminder Adam Voth recorded 27 stops for the win, while call-up keeper Cameron Dagg (29 saves) took the loss.

The Vipers visit the Salmon Arm SilverBacks (12-6-1-1) Tuesday night at the Sunwave Centre.

Meanwhile, Connor and Kellen each scored a goal and an assist as Canada West bowed 5-2 to the U.S. in WJAC exhibition play Friday night in Montague, P.E.I.

Kellen played the hero Thursday night, scoring with one second remaining and collecting the lone shootout goal as Canada West upended Belarus 3-2 Thursday night.

Canada West opens preliminary play today against Russia (10 a.m. PST).