Vernon Coach Praises Victors:

This is in the Edmonton Sun Newspaper:
Vernon coach praises victors

By Con Griwkowsky,Edmonton Sun

First posted: Sunday, May 8, 2011

CAMROSE — Destiny denied.

The Vernon Vipers learned the meaning of that term on Sunday, losing for the first time in seven trips to the RBC final.

Not just losing, but being blanked 2-0.

As the newly-crowned champion Pembroke Lumber Kings took their victory lap, Vipers coach Mark Ferner could not believe his team missed its chance to make some history with a third-straight RBC Cup win.

“That’s what makes this game so great and this tournament so great,” said Ferner.

“Hats off to Pembroke. They’re a heck of a team and well-deserving.
‘Unfortunate’

“It’s unfortunate somebody had to lose. It was just one of those games where their goalie came up and played big for them.”

The Vipers had enough glorious scoring chances to win the game in the same way they manhandled Pembroke in the last round-robin game.

“Winning and losing is just that much,” said Ferner. “We win a draw in the offensive zone, the puck gets blocked and it ends up in the back of our net. That’s tough.”

Even though they had a date with destiny, not many outside observers gave a team that had made 16 off-season changes a chance to get into another RBC Cup, never mind being one win away from taking the trophy home again.

“I’m so proud of our group,” said Ferner.

“Our young guys jumped on board and somebody had to lose. It’s unfortunate somebody had to lose, but I’m extremely proud of this group.”

Once this team has a chance to soak up its disappointment, they’re sure to be stronger and nobody would be surprised if they somehow found a way to get back here again.