Vipers Face Hot Smokies:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Vipers face hot Smokies

Published: September 30, 2010

It’s been a while since Jim Ingram has seen his Trail Smoke Eaters leading the B.C. Hockey League Interior Conference 10 games into the season.

The Vipers (4-3-0-1) will face the Interior Conference-leading Trail Smoke Eaters (7-3) tonight at Cominco Arena.

Ingram says an experienced backline and committed bunch of forwards, along with great goaltending from Kiefer Smiley, has the Smokies enjoying success.

“You have to go out there with a real mission when you have a lead in the third period,” said Ingram. “We’re making really good choices with the lead.”

The big line of Travis St. Denis (3+1), Sam Mellor (1+2) and Scott Jacklin (3A) combined for 10 points as the Smokies stopped the Cowichan Valley Capitals 6-1 before 800 fans Wednesday night in Trail.

“They’re a good hockey team; they can put the puck in the net,” said Vipers’ head coach/GM Mark Ferner.

St. Denis and Mellor joined the Vipers’ Dylan Walchuk and Mark Basara at the two-day Canada West camp earlier this week in Penticton. A total of 40 players attended the trials for the World Junior A Challenge, Nov. 8-14, at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

Jacklin, who leads the BCHL with 5-16-21, was back at Selkirk College taking classes Monday following a five-day road trip and this Sunday he’s off to Pittsburgh for a couple of days to visit Robert Morris University. He also has a trip planned to Anchorage to visit the University of Alaska.

“The group we have in the dressing room right now is a real confident group,” said Jacklin. “I think right now every time we step on the ice we have a really good chance of winning.

Mellor, with 11-9-20, and St. Denis, with 10-10-20, hold down the other top points parade positions in the BCHL.

Cullen Bradshaw and Matthew Laboucane also scored for the Smokies, while Mike Hammond replied for Cowichan (2-5), who visit the Vipers Saturday night.

Enderby product and former Viper Nick Amies is with the Capitals.

Rookie Destry Straight of West Vancouver earned 1+3 as the Coquitlam Express grounded the Surrey Eagles 5-1 Wednesday night before 600 fans at the Coquitlam Sports Centre.

Wade Murphy scored at 3:15 of double overtime as the Victoria Grizzlies clipped the host Nanaimo Clippers 4-3 before 850 fans at Frank Crane Arena.

Vernon product Aaron Brandoli’s made 39 saves and earned first star as the Sicamous Eagles stopped the Kamloops Storm 4-0 in Kootenay International Junior Hockey League action Wednesday night in Sicamous.

Brandon Formosa (2), Corbin Marcotte and Jung Ahn scored for the Eagles (3-3). The Storm dipped to 2-5.

Vernon’s Thomas Swales earned one assist as the Osoyoos Coyotes shut down the host Penticton Lakers 5-0 Wednesday night. The Coyotes improved to 7-0-0-1, while the Lakers fell to 2-6.