Vipers Outlast Kings’ Siege:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Vipers outlast Kings’ siege

By Graeme Corbett - Vernon Morning Star

Published: January 31, 2010

The Vernon Vipers got the solid first period they were looking for against the Powell River Kings, but had trouble closing because of a sloppy third frame Friday night at Wesbild Centre.

After racing out to a three-goal lead, the Snakes quelled a late uprising by the Kings to hang on for a 5-2 win before 1,876 fans in their first meeting since the two teams tangled in last year’s B.C. Hockey League Fred Page Cup.

First star Braden Pimm set up the winner 10 minutes into the second period, zipping into the Kings’ zone before dropping off to Cole Ikkala (18th goal), who snuck his shot five-hole on netminder Josh Watson.

“We finally came out with a good first-period effort, but the third period we kind of had a bit of a gaff there,” said Pimm, who was stellar at both ends of the ice.

“They (Kings) didn’t look like they were ready to play in the first couple of periods, but they bounced back in the third and gave us a run for our money.”

After a high-tempo start with good action at both ends, the Vipers (42-6-0-2) settled into their typical puck possession game. Dan Nycholat tested Watson (26 saves) early with a point shot through traffic. The Kings’ keeper stayed strong on the rebound to deny Dylan Walchuk on his doorstep.

Even when the Kings (29-15-1-6) had back-to-back powerplays, they were unable to test rookie netminder Blake Voth, managing just three shots in the first frame. Powell River head coach Kent Lewis was unimpressed with his team’s effort.

“We spotted them a couple early and we just didn’t play well. When we did the things we needed to do, I thought territorially we did a good job.

“Too many turnover and too many guys that I count on up front didn’t do the job. It’s not just about effort, but smarts.”

On the Vipers’ first powerplay, Mike Collins (25th) stepped out from the sidewall and wristed a shot through Watson from the high slot to open the scoring.

Late in the period, Jonathan Milhouse charged in from the wing and was stopped by Watson, but Walchuk (19th) shoveled the rebound home before the netminder could recover.

The Kings responded with a better effort in the second frame, limiting the Snakes to just one shot in the first 10 minutes. However, they were unable to generate much themselves.

Powell River’s special teams let them down again late in the second when they couldn’t capitalize on a 90-second 5-on-3. Voth (22 saves) looked steady in stopping Matt Garbowsky on a quick one-timer from the doorstep. The Herbert, Sask. product then got a shoulder on Reid Campbell’s point shot from the top of the circle.

“I knew that 5-on-3 was going to play a big factor. If we could pull it off we were probably going to win the game,” said Voth.

Added Vipers’ head coach Mark Ferner: “That was a big kill. They have some talented guys over there that can put the puck in the net but we did a good job to kill that off.”

Vernon’s Kellen Jones (9th) looked to put the Kings away for good 4:43 into the third period. On a great solo effort, he wheeled up the left wing, cut in hard behind a Powell River defender and drove to the net to slip a nice backhand by Watson.

However, less than a minute later, with the Vipers treading water in their own end, Chad Niddery (14th) one-timed a quick pass from Brenden Forbes from behind the net to put Powell River on the board.

Ferner was at a loss as to why the Vipers stopped skating in their own end.

“I thought the first two periods were fine, but then we tried to do too much with the puck. We weren’t moving it, we were standing around with it and the momentum changed.”

Niddery (15th) scored again a few minutes later, this time redirecting defenceman Mat Bodie’s slap pass from the point just inside the post past a helpless Voth.

“Bodie is a very smart defenceman. He did have a lane for the shot but no one was in front so he always does this Sedin play slap pass and I just got lucky,” said Niddery, a Penticton product.

Niddery says Powell River doesn’t have the scoring punch or overall depth they did last year, but adds this year’s addition makes up for it with work ethic.

“Last year we had depth all the way through, kind of like Vernon’s offence. This year we’re a lot younger and we basically went for speed and grit.

“If we play a full 60 with everyone playing their role, we win the games.”

The Vipers’ Robbie Short, using his speed and athleticism, intercepted a cross-ice pass at his blueline, then beat Huisman in a foot race to deliver an empty-netter.

The Vipers hosted the Langley Chiefs (30-18-1-3) Saturday night at Wesbild, and don’t play again until they visit the Merritt Centennials Friday night at Nicola Valley Arena.