Vipers Halt Dawgs’ Streak:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:


Vipers halt Dawgs’ streak

Published: January 21, 2010

The Vernon Vipers know what it’s like to have a monster win streak snapped. They decided to share that feeling with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs before 1,663 boisterous B.C. Hockey League fans Tuesday night at Weyerhauser Arena.

The BCHL-leading Snakes doubled the Coastal Conference-leading Dawgs 6-3 to halt a 14-game win streak.

“It was loud and the crowd was enthused. It was good for our guys to be on the other side of that for a change,” said Vipers’ assistant coach Jason Williamson. “They definitely relished it and had a pretty good 60 minutes.”

Connor Jones needed just 32 seconds to put Vernon (40-5-0-2) on the board, taking a nice cross-ice feed from twin brother Kellen to bury his 30th goal of the season. Linemate David Robinson (1+2) drew the assist.

“There’s a reason why we start those guys. The majority of the time they’re going to get the momentum for us,” said Williamson.

Alberni (36-11-1-2), who were playing their first home game after a six-game road schedule, answered at 13:41 as Mark MacMillan set up Ryan Renz for his first of the season.

First star Braden Pimm (22nd goal) restored Vernon’s lead 5:31 into the second frame, walking off the sidewall to beat Frank Slubowski gloveside. Cole Ikkala and Mike Collins pocketed assists.

Ikkala (17th) then ripped a shot past Slubowski (17 saves) from the top of the circle midway through the second.

Williamson credited Vipers’ netminder Graeme Gordon (24 saves) for standing tall early, and again when the Bulldogs were pressing late in the game.

“He was definitely good that game. He had a good start. They got a couple late ones that he couldn’t really do anything about. They were more mistakes by us than anything.”

Tension boiled over early in the third period when the Vipers’ Braden Pimm took a hard shot from Sam Mitchell away from the puck. Kevin Kraus jumped in to challenge Mitchell, and despite earning an instigator and misconduct, Williamson had nothing but praise for the Viper captain.

“He stood up for his teammate, which is good to see,” said Williamson.

The Vipers built a four-goal cushion in the third period on goals by second star Dylan Walchuk (17th) and Robbie Short (15th). Alberni made a game of it with goals from third star Johnny Rogic (16th) and Casey Bailey (12th).

The road-weary Vipers collected four wins (including the BCHL All-star Game) on their Vancouver Island swing, playing five games in just seven days.

“Obviously it was good we were successful,” said Williamson. “It probably would have been a little more draining if we weren’t. That’s the benefit of having a deep team – you don’t have to rely on one or two lines to do all your scoring.”

Vernon hosts the Westside Warriors (33-13-1-1) tonight and Saturday night at Wesbild Centre.