I was at todays Royal Bank Cup Final as Vernon defeated Dauphin 8-1 in front of 2,260 fans at Credit Union Place.
Starting Goaltenders:
Vernon: Graeme Gordon
Dauphin: Joe Caligiuri
1st Period: Just 17 seconds into the game Dauphin got the puck in deep, Graeme Gordon had to be alert as the puck come out quickly from behind the goal as Gordon was forced to stop the play. A fast pace opening few minutes as both teams with some great chances at either end. Mike Collins setup Braden Pimm in front who was stopped by Joe Caligiuri, then on the same shift back come the Kings, Bryce Lamb with a chance but was stopped by Graeme Gordon. Back come the Vipers, with some good puck movement the puck come back to the point, Garrett Noonan's blast from the blueline beat Joe Caligiuri but hit the inside of the post as Vernon come very close to opening the score. From here on in it was all Vernon as the Vipers controlled the edge in play. David Robinson with a chance five minutes into the game, at the side of the Kings net had Joe Caligiuri going down but Robinson somehow missed te entire empty net on the other side. Just three minutes later Braden Pimm with a nice feed to Cole Ikkala who couldnt beat Caligiuri as the Vipers were swarming with lots of pressure. Vernon got the puck in deep and with a great forecheck dominated the play in and along the boards. Dauphin's d-men were having all kinds of troubles with the Vipers cycle down low. With six minutes remaining Zeenan Ziemer used his speed to wheel through the neutral zone, Ziemer then fed a wide open (#25 not listed in the Kings lineup) who was stone by Gordon who come up with a huge pad save, back the other way come Vernon as Cole Ikkala with a chance was stopped by Caligiuri. On the next shift Adam Thompson fed Cory Kane who cut through the neutral zone before stepping over the Kings blueline and ripped a shot blocker side past Joe Caligiuri at 14:29 giving the Vipers the 1-0 lead. Thompson with the lone assist. Dauphin couldnt get much of anything going as the Vipers were by far the better team. With 2:19 left Rob Short come down the wing and ripped a quick shot that gave Caligiuri a little trouble, Shorts shot handcuffed Caligiuri who got a peice of the puck with his glove but couldnt hold onto the rebound. It was all Vernon except in the opening few minutes, otherwise the Vipers dominated the play. The Vipers won most of the battles and races to the puck and were very strong on the draw, winning most of the faceoffs. The Vipers were up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play. Vernon outshot Dauphin 16-9.
2nd Period: Cory Kane used his wheels then with a nice move cut towards the net before getting off a backhand that just went high and over the Kings goal. Not much action in the first few minutes before Dylan Walchuk & Patrick McGillis went in on the two on one, Walchuk kept and shot beating Caligiuri at 6:28 giving the Vipers a 2-0 lead. Walchuks goal was unassisted. Off the faceoff back come the Kings, as Dauphin would get te puck in deep, Cody Esposito with three great chances at the side of the net, couldnt beat Gordon who made two huge pad saves before Esposito fired high and over the net on his third shot as the Kings come very close to making this a one goal game. On the same shift back come the Vipers, Kellen Jones fed Connor Jones who scored at 7:07 giving Vernon a 3-0 lead. Kellen Jones with the lone helper. Vernon didnt quit, off the faceoff Captain Kevin Kraus setup Cole Ikkala who beat Caligiuri at 7:16 as the Vipers with three goals in just 48 seconds. Kraus with the lone assist. Just after the goal Vernon would get called with too many men wich gave the Kings the games first powerplay. Dauphin would get the puck in deep, Shane Luke & Ryan Dreger both at the side of the net were banging away at the loose puck but couldnt get the puck past Graeme Gordon who was down and cut down the angle. The Kings kept up the pressure, as the penalty was coming to an end a good battle going on inbehind the Vernon net, Ryan Dreger fed Bryce Lamb out front who went fivehole on Gordon at 10:01 getting the Kings on the board. Dreger with the lone assist. This finally got the sellout crowd into the game. Off the next faceoff the Vipers would head right back to the penalty box as Dauphin went back on the powerplay. This time Vernon would kill off the minor. After the big penalty kill back come Vernon. Dylan Walchuk & Patrick McGillis raced in across the Kings blueline, Walchuk cut hard towards the net getting stopped by Caligiuri but McGillis was there for the rebound to give the Vipers a 5-1 lead at 12:56 In the second half both teams really didnt generate much offence, atleast no real good quality chances. Vernon with a late powerplay would carry the remainder of the man advantage into the 3rd. Giving up three goals in just 48 seconds was a heartbreaker for the Kings and really gave all the momentum to the Vipers. Vernon was up 4-1 after 40 minutes of play. The Vipers outshot the Kings 13-8.
3rd Period: With the Vipers still on the powerplay, Vernon would get the play in deep. The puck come back to Dan Nycholat whos hard shot just missed the far corner but this was the only real chance Vernon would get as the Kings would kill off the penalty. Just 3:32 into the period Sahir Gill found the back of the net giving Vernon a 6-1 lead and in full control. Kellen Jones & Adam Thompson with the assists. Not much for action in the 3rd as Dauphin tried dumping the puck in deep and chasing in after it but that got them no where. Vernon was very keen on just getting the puck in across the line and changing lines. Dauphin had two chances in the first half, after a player was in the slot but they couldnt hit the net on both opportunities. With just under twelve minutes remaining Rob Short on a parcial breakaway couldnt get the puck past Joe Caligiuri. Vernon would get a powerplay & capitalize. Some nice passing between Sahir Gill & Kellen Jones. Kellen Jones beat Caligiuri at 15:30 giving Vernon the 7-1 lead. Gill with the lone assist. At this point some fans started to head towards the exit. From here on in the Kings couldnt get much of anything going, where as the Vipers were just getting the puck in deep and winding down the clock. Other then Shorts parcial breakaway both teams with no real good chances, it was more of a dump and chase type period. In the final three and a half minutes the frustration started to kick in on Dauphin as Travis Cech & Cody Esposito were both given ten minute misconducts and sent to the dressing room. At this point Credit Union Place was dead silent and all you could hear were the banging of sticks when Esposito and Cech headed to the locker room. Late in the game Garrett Noonan skated over the Kings blueline took a weak looking shot that handcuffed Caligiuri as the puck just crossed the goal line putting the Vipers up 8-1. In the final minute the crowd started to stand giving their Kings one last cheer. At the buzzer the Vipers bench erupted onto the ice as Vernon would throttle the Kings 8-1 and win back to back National Championships. Shots were even 7-7.
Top Players: (Vernon)
Garrett Noonan (1 goal) I was very impressed with the play by Garrett Noonan. Noonan played a great game this afternoon.
Curtis Gedig another Viper d-man that played a strong game on the Vipers blueline. What can you say about Curtis Gedig, not a fan favorite but really stepped up his game at the RBC Cup.
The line of Sahir Gill (1 goal & 1 assist), Connor Jones (1 assist) & Kellen Jones (1 goal & 1 assist) played a solid game up front for Vernon. This line was all over the rink this afternoon. Connor who missed most of the RBC Cup due to an injury come back in yesterdays semi-final and really added alot to the Vipers lineup. This line like it has all season was very strong on the cycle and forecheck down low. The Kings were having all kinds of trouble containing the Vipers top line.
The line of Dylan Walchuk (1 goal & 1 assist), Patrick McGillis & Jonathan Milhouse was also very effective. What can you say about Dylan Walchuk, Walchuk another player who really stepped up his game come the RBC Cup and showed what he can do. He may not have put up the big numbers but played hard, battled and competed each and every game. Patrick McGillis who has sat out most of the Vipers playoff run stepped into the lineup in the last few games and really played well. McGillis has impressed me all year and will be a key player for Vernon next season.
Cory Kane (1 goal) Kane who opened the scoring come to play today. Kane really used his speed and stick handling to his ability and played a very strong game up front.
Cole Ikkala (1 goal) Another kid that has really stepped up his game in the RBC Cup. Ikkala battled and competed hard all afternoon, was very hard to knock off the puck in and along the boards. Had some real good scoring chances.
Braden Pimm another Viper veteran who played a solid game. Pimm won several draws and also looked good in and around the boards.
Rob Short played a very strong game. Short with a few good chances, competed and battled hard.
Adam Thompson (2 assists) Played a strong game on the Vernon blueline. Thompson looked good at both ends of the rink, jumped up into the play on a few occasions.
Graeme Gordon (23 saves) I know not many Viper fans liked or thought Graeme Gordon was the kid to get the job done, but in the end Gordon come through in the big games and has his second Royal Bank Cup ring. Gordon stepped up his game and was solid in the Vipers Game 7 wins oer Powell River and Spruce Grove as well in yesterdays semi-final vs Brockville and again today vs Dauphin. Gordon who many said didnt play all that well in the round-robin come to play in yesterdays semi-final and again in todays final. Just like yesterday Gordon made the big save when needed. Gordon made a huge save off (#25 not listed in the Kings lineup) in the 1st and again three or four big saves in the 2nd. Two game savers off Cody Esposito.
Top Players: (Dauphin)
Bryce Lamb (1 goal) Lamb with the lone Kings goal on the powerplay was a force for the Kings all tournament and really played well.
Zeenan Ziemer another Dauphin player that really stood out at the RBC Cup and again today in the final. This kid has some quick wheels, can carry and move the puck very well and cut in and out of traffic like nothing. Very shifty down low and in and around the net.
Game Thoughts: (Vernon)
First off Id like to take this time to congratulate the Vernon Vipers on winning the 2010 Royal Bank Cup. Wow who would have ever guessed we would have seen a blowout like we did today. Mark Ferner, the Vernon Vipers and us the Viper fans kept telling everyone here in Dauphin you guy's havnt seen the real Vernon Vipers. Im pretty sure alot of them just laughed at us, well the real Vernon Vipers come to play today & showed everyone. This was the Vipers team I am use to watching all season. This game was no contest, In a game where alot of hype was built up in the end Vernon completely dominated todays game from start to finish. The Vipers won most of the draws, won most of the battles, races for the puck, scored on there chances and got the big save when needed. Scoring three goals in 48 seconds has to be close or even a RBC Cup record? I would think. On several nights through out the regular season and postseason Vernon relied on its #1 line of Connor Jones, Kellen Jones and Sahir Gill, well today everyone stepped up and contributed on the scoresheet. It took all 20 young men to get the job done. I was very nervous before todays game and still cant believe its all over, Im still thinking theres another series to be played, but this is it. The Vipers are the first team to win back to back National Championships since the 1990-1991 Vernon Lakers. Most teams have never made it to a league final or won a divison pennent, let alone the National Chmapionship before, some teams have had a single chance and never won. Once your here you cant take it for granted, thats for sure. The Vipers & last years Humboldt Broncos did something that dosnt happen very often and thats make it to the RBC Cup back to back years with a shot at winning it back to back. This is a long haul folks, if you think back from the Vipers first pre season game way back in August, these kids have played alot of hockey. The hard fought battles and long bus trips these kids have had to take just to get here is incredible. Just to make it to the RBC Cup is very special but to win it back to back is very special. These kind of teams dont come along very often, if ever. So enjoy this Vipers team while you can. You may never get another team like it or shot at another National Championship again.
In the end it was well worth it to make the long trip to Dauphin Manitoba. To be able to watch all of except one of the round-robin games was very special. After going to Victoria last year, when will I ever get the chance to watch back to back RBC Cups live? This was very special to me and well worth the trip!
A special thank you and congrats to the Viper veterans or players that wont be returning next season. Thank you for making this one heck of a season! All the effort, hard work and everything you have gone through, I hope this makes it all worth it! Congrats on winning the 2010 National Championship and for the ones that won it all last year, congrats on winning back to back titles! You guys might not think about it now, or tomorrow or even a few months down the road, it may be many years from now, but when you look back on your time in Vernon and your career as a Vernon Viper you will remember days like today and what you and the 20 plus team mates it took to win a National Championship. You will never forget the friendship and trust you made with your team mates, This is something very special to you and for me, many thanks and I wish you all the best in your futures!
Here's a list of Vipers that played their final game in a Viper uniform today, were all going to miss you! Good bye and good luck!
Connor Jones (2006-2010)
Kellen Jones (2006-2010)
Sahir Gill (2008-2010)
Jonathan Milhouse (2009-2010)
Rob Short (2006-2010)
Dan Nycholat (2009-2010)
Cory Kane (2008-2010)
Cole Ikkala (2008-2010)
Braden Pimm (2007-2010)
Mike Collins (2008-2010)
Curtis Gedig (2009-2010)
Kevin Kraus (2007-2010)
Graeme Gordon (2008-2010)
Game Thoughts: (Dauphin)
First off Id like to thank the Dauphin Kings on a great season and playoff-RBC Cup run. You guys had a terrific season and should hold your heads up high. I know this being my first trip out to Dauphin and Manitoba I found out what a big deal the RBC Cup was for you and the city of Dauphin. I sure noticed in my week here how the city and everyone involed really come together as one. Id like to wish you all, all the best in your hockey futures or life futures. What happened to the Dauphin Kings? A team that won a record 50 regular season games, only losing two now make it three home games all season to end up in the RBC Cup Final, go 5-0 and lose 8-1 in the final. You have to wonder were the Kings a little over confident? Was it the Vipers experience and leadership with having 13 players back from last years Championship team? Or was it playing in last nights semi-final and then having the early afternoon game today? Remember Dauphin had the choice to choose between either the 2pm or 7pm start time for yesterdays semi-final, and they chose the 7pm game. Did the Vipers extra rest help them preserve for todays title? I noticed the Kings played just one afternoon game all year, and this was back in November. Vernon plays around four or five afternoon games if not six on Sunday afternoon, dont forget sometimes the afternoon game would be after playing the following Friday or Saturday night, making it three games in three days. Some of these games following the Sunday game have also been on the road, so does this hae any factor in todays game? Include this, the Vipers played their last four games at the RBC all in the afternoon and won all four games. You have to wonder what happened to the Kings, in front of a huge sellout crowd Dauphin just didnt have it going for them. The Kings were outplayed, outworked and outskated most of the afternoon. I still cant get over the final score, I was thinking we were going to see a 2-1 or 3-2 final in a close tight checking game. I was very suprised Dauphin kept Joe Caligiuri in net for all eight goals, I dont think you can blame him for the loss but maybe after the 3rd or 4th Vernon goal, send in Brett Willows to try and kick start your team, change things up. Dauphin & Vernon were both talked about and both one of the early favorites heading into the RBC Cup, after the Kings defeated the Vipers in the round-robin and then went 5-0 I think many were picking the Kings in todays final. I know just walking around the rink at last nights semi-final and before the start of todays final, several fans sounded pretty confident in the Kings coming away with the cup. Those three goals in 48 seconds really took the life out of the Kings. It was very quiet in Credit Uinion Place in the 3rd.
Id like to thank the people from Dauphin and around the Manitoba area for opening your arms to the handfull of Viper fans that made the long trip up from Vernon. Everyone was very friendly and very kind. I met some very friendly people. You should all be proud of your hockey team and keep up the great fan support!
Scratches:
Vernon:
Darrin Robak
Trevor Fitzgerald (AP)
Bryce Kakoske
Dauphin:
Tyler Gaudry
#9 (not listed in the Kings lineup)
Players of the game:
Vernon: Kellen Jones (1 goal & 1 assist)
Dauphin: Bryce Lamb (1 goal)
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