Vipers Romp Over Burnaby Express:

Vipers romp over Burnaby Express

by Don Klepp

Nov 23, 2009

Two power play goals and two short handed strikes accounted for half of the Vernon Vipers’ 8-1 romp over the host Burnaby Express on Sunday afternoon.

Mike Collins had the “Sidney Crosby hat trick,” scoring on the power play, short handed, and even strength. The Boston native took over the team goal scoring lead with 20, one more than Connor Jones.

The Vipers dominated this game, except for the opening few minutes. The Express stole a page from the Langley Chiefs playbook, with a fierce fore check and hard physical play. Indeed, the play in the first couple of minutes gave no hint of the dismantling that was to follow.

Physical play is one thing, but undisciplined physical effort can put a team in trouble. On the second Viper power play in the early going, Bryce Kakoske scored from the high slot at 4:45. Cole Ikkala and Dylan Walchuk drew assists on Kakoske’s high shot.

At 14:24, Mike Collins scored his first of the night. After Dan Nycholat’s penalty had cancelled out a third Viper power play, Braden Pimm made a good play to get the puck to Collins, who beat Harrison May low on the stick side. Just over three minutes later, rookies Patrick McGillis and Drew George combined on a skillful play. McGillis stopped an Express clearing attempt with his skate to set up a 2 on 1. His pass caught George in the skates, but George kicked the puck up to his stick and went top shelf.

The Express initiated a number of minor skirmishes after whistles in the first period, but the Vipers maintained their discipline. Their focus on speed and sharp passing resulted in 17 first period shots while the Express managed just 2. One of those shots came when Burnaby’s captain, Dylan Herold, accepted a stretch pass and broke in alone on Graeme Gordon. However, the big Viper goalie gave Herold very little room and blocked his shot.

The Express played better in the second period, but were out shot 12 to 7, and once again were outscored 3 -0. At 8:30, Jonathan Milhouse made an excellent cross-ice pass to Mike Collins, who immediately ripped it over May’s shoulder.

The Vipers then added to Burnaby’s frustration with two short handed goals against one Express power play. At 10:42, Braden Pimm converted a pass from Kellen Jones, who found Pimm trailing the rush. Pimm went forehand, backhand to score the Viper’s 13th shortie of the season. Just 27 seconds later, Mike Collins notched the Vipers’ 14th short handed goal on a fine individual effort.

After Collins’s third goal, Nick Enegren came in to replace the beleaguered Harrison May. He surrendered two more Viper tallies in the third period. At 7:42, Connor Jones put a slap shot through Enegren, and Cole Ikkala put the puck upstairs at 18:31.

The only remaining issue was whether Graeme Gordon would register his second shutout of the season. With 45 seconds remaining, AP Malcolm McKinney fired a shot from the side boards. The puck deflected off a Viper in front, and Gordon lost his shutout while his Vancouver friends and family watched. Although he faced only 13 shots in this contest, he had earned a chance at the whitewash because he had made several fine saves in the game, including some on an Express one-minute 5 on 3 power play late in the second period.

Game Notes:

•The Viper winning streak has now reached 20. Also, the team has won 16 straight road games, one short of the BCHL record set by New Westminster in 1989-1990.
•The Vipers’ total of 14 shorthanded goals is one more than the 13 power play markers they have allowed. However, the BCHL record of 44 shorthanded goals, set by that same New Westminster team, is not likely in jeopardy.
•Kevin Kraus and Sawyer Mick, who were banged up in Langley the previous evening, sat out this game. Both are expected back in the lineup for Thursday night’s home game versus Prince George.
•Burnaby’s top scorer, Rich Manley, took two misconduct penalties in the game.