Vipers Wipe Out Coast:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:


Vipers wipe out coast

Published: November 24, 2009

Even strength, powerplay, or shorthanded – it doesn’t seem to matter to the Vernon Vipers. They are going to find a way to score.

The Snakes, who remain No. 1 in the Canadian Junior Hockey League’s weekly power rankings – the Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) and Kingston Voyageurs (OJAHL) are second and third respectively – have scored more shorthanded goals (14) than they have given up on the powerplay (13).

They fired shorties 27 seconds apart on the same penalty in B.C. Hockey League play Sunday at Bill Copeland Arena, derailing the Burnaby Express 8-1.

Vernon gonged the Langley Chiefs 6-2 Saturday night at the Langley Events Centre, and are now riding a 20-game win streak, two shy of the franchise record. Going back to last year’s playoffs, the Vipers have been virtually untouchable at 38-1.

“You have to give our guys credit that they come to play,” said Vipers’ assistant coach Jason Williamson. “Even if the other team shows up, our guys seem to be able to crank it up a notch and we’re able to wear other teams down.”

Bryce Kakoske (6th goal) walked in from the point, took a nice feed from Cole Ikkala and snapped one top shelf to open the scoring before 572 fans against Burnaby (8-17-0-3).

Mike Collins (18th), who earned first star with his first-ever BCHL hat trick, made it 2-0 Vernon on an odd-man rush with Braden Pimm and Garrett Noonan at 14:24.

Rookie Drew George added another for Vernon (27-1) before the period ended.

Burnaby’s best chance came when Simon Denis threaded a nice stretch pass to send Dylan Herold on a breakaway, but the Express captain was stopped by netminder Graeme Gordon (12 saves).

“They (Burnaby) were pretty frustrated after the first period,” said Williamson, noting the shots were 17-2 in Vernon’s favour after 20 minutes, and 38-13 overall.

Collins (19th), who buried a gorgeous cross-ice feed from Jonathan Milhouse, kept Vernon rolling in the second frame.

Pimm (14th), on a shorthanded 2-on-1 with Kellen Jones, and Collins (20th), stripping David Dotan as he came out from behind the net, again shorthanded, put the game out of reach.

Harrison May, who allowed six goals on 20 shots, was pulled in favour of Nick Enegren (10 saves).

“It feels good, it’s been two years coming,” grinned Collins, of his hat trick. “It’s (shorthanded goals) all down to hard work, taking time and space away from them to force plays.”

Connor Jones (19th), on a one-timer set up by Kellen, and Ikkala (10th), crashing the net to drive home a rebound off Dylan Walchuk’s shot, completed the Vernon assault.

Express call-up Malcolm McKinney spoiled Graeme Gordon’s shutout with 45 seconds remaining, banking a shot off the Viper keeper from the corner.

Defenceman Kevin Kraus and forward Sawyer Mick missed the game to nurse minor injuries.

On Saturday, it was the line of Connor (2+1), Kellen (1+3) and Cory Kane (1+2) that did the damage against Langley (14-12-1-2).

Ikkala rounded out the Snakes’ attack with a late first-period marker.

“They came out pretty hard, and Blake (Voth, 23 saves) was pretty good in the first period,” said Williamson. “Then Connor (second star) and Kellen (first star) took over the game. There’s not much you can do when they’re on.”

Mac Roy handled the Chiefs’ offence with his 12 and 13th goals of the season.

Regarding their win streak, Collins says the Vipers don’t really get too worked up about it.

“We don’t let that bother us too much. We know the task at hand and all we can do is control our effort.

“Krauser (Vipers’ captain Kevin Kraus) keeps us online – the leadership is definitely there and we all know what we have to do.”

Added Williamson: “We’ve just got to keep pushing them. If they want that extra ice time, they have to play on both sides of the puck. The older guys like Pimm just do it automatically. If the younger guys see our 20s doing that, then they realize they better do it too.”

Vernon faces the Prince George Spruce Kings (11-16-1-1) Thursday night, and the Westside Warriors (18-9-1) Friday night at Wesbild Centre.

In their only other meeting, Collins scored with two seconds remaining to ground the host Warriors 4-3 at Royal LePage Place in October.

“They’ve (Kings) got some skilled guys that can hurt you, so you’ve got to be ready to play,” said Williamson. “And obviously Westside is rolling (7-2-1 in their last 10 games).”