Vipers Bank First Win Over ‘Backs:

This was in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Vipers bank first win over ‘Backs

Published: January 01, 2011

Kyle Murphy was nearly a no-show for the Vernon Vipers’ return to B.C. Hockey League action Wednesday night against the Salmon Arm SilverBacks at the Sunwave Centre.

He and fellow east coasters John Knisley and Mike Zalewski had to contend with a blizzard which delayed and re-routed flights after Christmas. Murphy, who spent the holiday with his family in Fair Haven, N.J., spent all day Tuesday travelling to B.C. via Philadelphia, Toronto and Vancouver. The Vipers are thankful he did because he collected two goals and an assist to earn first star and help Vernon double the ‘Backs 6-3 before 1,400 fans.

It was the Snakes’ first win against the SilverBacks in five meetings this season. The two teams played again Thursday night at Wesbild Centre, and Vernon hosted the Penticton Vees, first in the Interior at 25-11-2-1, Saturday (visit www.vernonmorningstar.com for game recaps).

“It was a big game for us. We haven’t had a lot of success against them, so to get a win on the road was huge,” said Murphy, who joined the Vipers from the NCAA Division 1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

“We definitely felt there were games where we deserved a better fate. That’s why (Wednesday) night was so big for us.”

Wednesday’s win came at a hefty price, as Viper captain Dave Robinson left the game with a suspected concussion at the end of the second period after he was run into the end boards by Clinton Atkinson. The Salmon Arm defenceman reacted when Robinson sprayed netminder Kris Moore as he covered a puck.

Referee Matt Thurston handed Atkinson a game misconduct for a blow to the head (major), which will be reviewed by the league. Robinson received an unsportsmanlike, and will join d-man Philip Patenaude (concussion) on the Vipers’ injured list.

“Dave knows he shouldn’t have done what he did. They took a liberty on him and ran him over,” said Vipers’ head coach Mark Ferner.

The SilverBacks, fourth in the Interior at 23-14-1, opened the scoring on the powerplay with Brett Knowels’ 19th goal at 3:28.

The Vipers, who have points in 13 straight games and are in second place at 21-8-4-6, responded with goals 28 seconds apart later in the first period.

John Knisley (7th goal), with his first goal in 15 games, got Vernon on the board with a shot from the circle at 15:47.

Knisley’s dip in production doesn’t concern Ferner one bit.

“He’s so good in other areas, and he’s going to get his opportunities. He doesn’t change the way he plays,” said Ferner.

Todd Skirving (4th) made it 2-1 Vernon at 16:15 with a wraparound goal on Moore (24 saves).

The SilverBacks equalized two minutes into the second period with Kevin Mills’ first of the season, but Bryce Kakoske (13th), with a shot from the slot, restored Vernon’s lead at 4:31. Pat McGillis made it a two-goal cushion with his sixth of the season at 6:32.

Jarryd Ten Vaanholt collected Salmon Arm’s second powerplay goal of the game at 16:15 to close the second period scoring.

Murphy completed the Viper offence with two goals in the third period, one at 4-on-4 and the other a shorthanded empty-netter with 10 seconds to play.

Vipers’ netminder Kirby Halcrow recorded 16 saves for the win.

With Patenaude on the shelf, the Vipers went with five defencemen Wednesday night. They were left further shorthanded when forward Aaron Hadley earned a game misconduct for a hit from behind early in the first period.

“Our guys played pretty hard for being off 11 days,” said Ferner.

“There’s three 20-year-olds (Malcolm Lyles, Adam Thomson and Stevie Weinstein) back there, so they can handle it. That said, we’re still looking for another guy. We need seven d-men.”

SNAKE BITES: Forward Marcus Basara missed Wednesday’s game as he served a one-game suspension for being the second Viper to earn a goalie interference call in a game against the Penticton Vees on Dec. 17... Former Viper Bryton Udy recorded 33 saves to backstop the Quesnel Millionaires to a 3-2 overtime victory against the host Prince George Spruce Kings Wednesday night at the Coliseum.