Jebson Smothers Snakes:

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Jebson smothers Snakes

By Kevin Mitchell - Vernon Morning Star

Published: January 26, 2010

Three years ago, Kevin Jebson allowed four goals in 14 minutes with the Western Hockey League Moose Jaw Warriors.

It was a mistake the Surrey product regrets now, but he hasn’t made many since leaving the Warriors for the B.C. Hockey League.

The fiery 20-year-old net detective stole his 31st game of the season Saturday night, recording a first-star 35-save showing in a 3-1 win at Wesbild Centre.

Jebson, who was all-planet during a two-minute Vipers’ 5-on-3 early in the game, has a habit of playing well in Vernon.

“It’s something about the challenge playing Vernon,” he said. “They are ranked No. 2 in Canada and they were No. 1 and I like to go out and prove myself. I like to think of myself as one of the best in the league and what better way to show than helping my team get a win against Vernon.”

Cole Wilson, off a turnover, Jason Nash, with a shot which deflected off d-man Adam Thompson past Graeme Gordon, and Trevor Bailey, with a softie which trickled through Gordon, accounted for the Westside offence.

Dylan Walchuk scored his 18th of the year, burying a rebound from ‘gimme’ range after a Stevie Weinstein shot, for the Vipers, who remain rated second in the country at 41-6-0-2.

Westside assistant coach Larry Robinson, a goaltending specialist, isn’t surprised by Jebson’s play. He challenged Jebson to be more of a leader, and remain calm when things heat up.

“He gets up for these kind of games. We kind of talked about it earlier in the week, using these two games as a playoff format and definitely wanting a split here for sure. More for Jebber, it was about getting a feel for this building and working towards the playoffs.”

With the post-season just around the corner, Jebson figures there isn’t much separating the Warriors (35-14-1-1) and Vipers.

“They have four really strong lines. They have a lot of offence up there. Their back end is good, but they could use some help. We just gotta put pucks on net and if we get those lucky goals on Gordon, there goes the game for us.”

Referee Andrew Guest called just eight minor penalties in the fast, yet tight-checking affair. Westside managed just 21 shots on goal before 2,118 fans.

“Obviously, we came out with a good effort and their goaltending was obviously really good again,” said Viper winger Cole Ikkala. “We got 40 shots and nothing you can do. We had the effort; we just didn’t get the result we wanted. Just nothing was going our way tonight. We’ll just bounce back and come back next weekend.”

Viper head coach Mark Ferner wants to see better things from some veterans when the Powell River Kings visit Friday night for the first time since last year’s Fred Page Cup final.

“They came in here and did what they needed to do. They kept it simple. For the most part we had a pretty good effort. We just need some of our older guys to be better.

“Give Westside credit, they played a good game and found a way to win.”

Meanwhile, winger Sawyer Mick and the Vipers have parted ways.

Mick, 18, amassed 9-13-22 in 43 games, but with the signings of David Robinson and Sahir Gill, had started sitting in the press box.

"Promises were given when I signed, and obviously they weren’t being fulfilled,” said Mick, who played rec hockey on the weekend. “I’m too big of a competitive person to be sitting out in the press box. I talked to Ferns and he was understanding of the situation. I wasn’t prepared to be a spare part so I’ll keep up my fitness and look to next year.”

Said Ferner: “We like Sawyer and we didn’t sign him to be a spare part. We wanted him to be part of our 23-man team. It’s been tough, but we sent a message that we’re going to need everybody ready to go.

“It’s a tough thing considering what happened to him in Portland, but he felt he wanted to move forward. Unfortunately, the time of the year didn’t allow us to move him to another team.”