Gedig Goes Big To Ground Grizz:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Gedig goes big to ground Grizz

By Graeme Corbett - Vernon Morning Star
Published: December 20, 2009

Defenceman Curtis Gedig would probably admit his first few weeks with the Vernon Vipers have been a little more like a finger painting, and less like the Picasso he envisioned. The victim of several unlucky bounces that have resulted in opposition goals, the New Jersey Devils draft pick appeared to be having difficulty finding his defensive bearings with the Snakes since being brought over from the Cowichan Valley Capitals in a late November trade.

Friday night was all about redemption for Gedig, 18, who collected first star, his first-ever B.C. Hockey League hat trick and his first goals as a Viper as Vernon crushed the Victoria Grizzlies 8-2 before 1,700 fans at Wesbild Centre.

“It was definitely a surprise. I didn’t think I’d score three, but I had to start somewhere and it felt real good,” grinned the West Kelowna product, adding that he is starting to feel more settled with the team and his new surroundings. “I’m used to the billets now, I’m all moved in, I’m getting used to the guys and the coaching is awesome.

“In Cowichan it was a lot more grind it out type hockey. Out here we got a lot more skill so you can hang onto the puck in the zone a little more and make a lot more plays.”

Added Vipers’ head coach Mark Ferner: “You’ve seen what type of player he can be. He’s got lots of get up and go, he’s a big body that can skate really well with a good shot, so it was nice to for him to have a little bit of success offensively tonight.”

After a tentative first few minutes, former Grizzly Jonathan Milhouse put Vernon (32-2-0-2) on the board when he pounced on a rebound in front of Colin Fernandes, and calmly tucked the puck around the sprawled keeper for his 12th of the season at 6:09.

While he says it was great to face his old team, Milhouse noted it wasn’t much of a reunion. Only three of his old teammates remain from last year’s Grizzlies – Dustin Mowrey, Jordan Heywood and Madison Dias.

“I really loved it in Victoria, but it’s good playing them. I have a couple good buddies on that team – not many – and it was good seeing them.

“I noticed they’re a little bigger. They were probably more physical than our team last year, but ultimately they seem to play relatively the same way.”

Derek Bacon (6th goal), banking one of those aforementioned unfortunate bounces off Gedig’s leg on a wraparound attempt, replied for the Grizz (19-13-2-5) at 8:41.

Vernon, who tangled with the Nanaimo Clippers Saturday night at Wesbild, restored the lead on the very next shift. Going in 2-on-1 with Connor Jones, Cory Kane (14th) kept the puck and fired a backhand that crept up and over Fernandes.

Victoria head coach Vic Gervais could have played starting keeper Ryan Holfeld, who recorded back-to-back 4-0 shutouts over the Merritt Centennials and Salmon Arm SilverBacks earlier in the week, but decided to rest him for Victoria’s Saturday-night tilt against the host Trail Smoke Eaters.

“The kid (Fernandes) battled in there, but he hasn’t played in a while. That’s the way it is when you don’t get in the net. You’re not as confident.

“We battled hard all game long, but it’s tough playing against a team like that. They’re fairly experienced and they just play simple hockey. They’re young kids and it’s a learning experience playing against a team that comes at you hard.”

Gedig’s first of the night (7th), a crisp snapshot through traffic on a late first-period powerplay, stood as the winner. His second goal came early in the second frame as he fired home the rebound off a Dan Nycholat point shot from a sharp angle.

Vernon’s veteran forwards began pressuring the Grizzlies’ inexperienced backend, causing turnovers and working the puck down low.

After Mike Collins provided much of the grunt work to kill off a Viper penalty, Kane converted a nice 2-on-1 pass from Milhouse (second star) to put Vernon in control.

Said Ferner: “That’s what it’s about – taking advantage and playing to our strengths. We feel we’re a talented group up front, so let’s put some pressure on the young dee back there and make them try to do things under pressure, and if we take away their time and space we know we’re going to get our opportunities.”

Goals by Gedig (9th), Walchuk (14th) and third star Jones (21st) completed the Viper attack. Joel Lowry (9th) added a third-period consolation marker for Victoria.

“Unfortunately for us, we came in thinking we were going to lose...and whenever you play a good team that’s never a good attitude,” said Lowry. “We gotta make sure next time we play them at home (Jan. 16 at Bear Mountain Arena) we come out expecting to win and come ready to play hard because that’s the only way we can compete with them.”

The only real emotion on the night came when Viper captain Kevin Kraus hammered Dias coming across the middle early in the third period. Mowrey took exception and challenged Kraus to fight.

The Vipers now get a nine-day break before they visit the Smokies (11-23-1-2) Tuesday, Dec. 29 at Cominco Arena.